Streetball and urban art #PlanForTheGang

Although it was invented by James Naismith in December 1981, a Canadian who worked as a coach at the University of Springfield (Massachusetts, USA), the first official basketball game was not played until January 1892. Little by little this sport was gaining followers. the length and breadth of the world, and such was its success that in the 1936 Olympic Games it was officially incorporated into the competition.
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, with more than 450 million players, and has always been a reflection of community and brotherhood, accessible to everyone regardless of their origin.

Street basketball or streetball is a modality that allows us to practice our favorite sport on open-air courts and enjoy the city, being accessible to all citizens. Its intention is none other than to promote sports outdoors and in central public spaces. We leave you a few clues that combine sport and urban art.

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• Paris: In the 9th district, was born in 2009 as a joint initiative between the clothing brands Pigalle and Nike. The project began when designer (and basketball player) from Pigalle, Stéphane Ashpoole, collaborated with Nike to make a basketball-specific collection. They took advantage of the field in front of the store on Rue Duperré. In 2017 they changed the image drawing inspiration from the new Pigalle and Nike collection.
• Brooklyn, NY: Kaws, known for his brightly colored cartoon artwork and limited-edition memorabilia, covered two courts side-by-side on Manhattan's Stanton Street. The artist used bold lines and shapes to color the courts, which feature an abstract version of his BFF designs of Elmo and Cookie Monster, both with their trademark crossed-out eyes.
• Alexandria (Italy): This city in the north of the country is home to a cheerful court with irregular shapes and very bright colors. It is the work of the Sicilian artist Gue, who is said to have designed this drawing with the intention of cleverly confusing players when jumping onto the court.
• St.Louis (USA): Painted by William LaChance, it is a giant mural on some basketball courts in a suburb of St. Louis. LaChance partnered with the nonprofit organization Project Backboard with the goal of breathing new life into the area and encouraging communities to come together through sports. 
• Uneven Ankle-Breaking (Munich): Although it is not painted, due to its originality it is considered one of the best basketball courts in the world. It is different from all the others because of the mounds and lights that deform its surface, it is worth visiting.
• Sports Center of Campo dos Mártires da Pátria (Lisbon): In collaboration with Underdogs, artist Akacorleone used the pitch as a canvas to represent a man and a woman on each side of the pitch using bright, vibrant colours. The purpose was to show the balance (between two realities represented through two people), and the common space of the court for the people of the neighborhood, with different origins, histories and where they could practice more sports besides basketball. An integration space.
• magariños x Okuda (Madrid): The artist Okuda and the Estudiantes basketball club have come together in the "Feel the colors" initiative, which appeals to respect for diversity, with which it is sought that art and sport work together to promote respect for diversity and social integration.