Portrait by NAFISAH CRUMITY
A Community of Hoops: West 4th Street
A Community of Hoops: West 4th Street is a series showcasing the diversity, passion, and humanity displayed on the 4th Street basketball court community.
Slam dunks, steals, blocked shots, three-point Hail Marys, hard fouls, trash-talking, high fives and lots of laughing… the action on and around the court is non-stop. Over decades this basketball venue has been home to some of New York City’s best players, but also a breeding ground for lifelong friendships between people from all walks of life. My journey documenting this court started earlier this year, but there is timeless quality to the games on the West 4th Street basketball court.
I first discovered the West 4th Street hoops when I moved to New York at the end of 2015. I was overwhelmed by the size and scope of the city. So many people, so many things to do, learning the subway system! I was looking to connect with anything that didn’t feel foreign and one thing that was familiar was watching basketball; I was always drawn to the sport’s passion, grace and competitiveness. Knowing that New York was the capital of streetball, it dawned on me that I was living near one of the most iconic courts in town--The West 4 th Street Court.
And for the past six years I’ve returned again and again to the West 4 th Street Court because I felt at home amongst a group of people who love basketball as much as I do. These photos attempt to capture that love, intensity, joy, passion and community of the splayers and fans who have created this unique sub-culture.
West 4 th Street encompasses what streetball is at its core. A small, caged court tucked into Lower Manhattan right next to a subway station, it’s a bustling melting pot of players and spectators at all hours of the day that share the same love for the beautiful game of basketball.
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About Eli
Eli Edwards originally from Los Angeles, is a photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. Edwards graduated NYU in 2019 with a Bachelor's in Media, Culture and Communication. Focused on documenting people doing what they love, you can find Eli getting his 10,000 steps a day with a camera in hand observing the landscape in front of him. Previously, Edwards won an Emmy for his work with Turner Sports on their social media team.
Presented by BKC & ASMP NY, The Bridge is a groundbreaking 16-week mentorship program for 18-26 year old emerging photographers and creative artists. To learn more about The Bridge, CLICK HERE.