The legendary West Fourth basketball courts, aka "The Cage" | Where Locals Go

Manhattan’s West Fourth Street basketball courts are where former NBA stars like Stephon Marbury, Rod Strickland and Jayson Williams played. Even if you don’t see these players here now, you’ll still witness some of the best street ball in the city on these courts, known as the Cage. It earned its nickname because it’s fenced in on all sides. “If you can’t master this court, you really can’t play nowhere else,” local high school coach Gregory Hillman told The Washington Post on a steamy July night. No matter what time of day you pass the Cage, you can easily spend hours mesmerized by the energy of local players hustling during a game of pickup basketball. And if you ever have the urge to prove your skills, in the words of one longtime tournament organizer, just put your name up on the list and shout, “I got next!” The courts are open year-round, but the best games are seen between May and August when the West Fourth tournament takes place. Read more: wapo.st/32apzTG.
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[@hd-xc2lz]

On these courts I have seen fist fights following hard fouls, with punches landed in faces, and minutes later the ball is back in play with both parties still on the floor and guarding each other. If you're nostalgic for pro basketball 1980/90s style, it's not to be missed. Every tourist who is a bball fan should put it on their itinerary.

[@rawgab4439]

or go to Rocker's Park in Harlem ;)

[@Mr.PR2000]

Just make sure the tourists don’t go with anything valuable. Them mf steal over there even the most “nicest” guy there.

[@heyah1447]

New York has legendary courts all over the city

[@Kolbenklopper93]

Tell me More

[@Stefanhaukur1998]

​@@Kolbenklopper93no you tell us

[@MajestyDaRebelHoops]

As a W4TH Native these are all facts "I Got Next" Say it Wit cha chest!!!!!!!!

[@liveinthemomintbreathoffre9958]

Shorty with the Phatty in the Jean skirt ...damn

[@DonGotti_777]

gotta love ny streetball dont nobody do it like us

[@imjustthatnigga]

Chi town a close second

[@helgenx]

Nah B.@@imjustthatnigga

[@praises1979]

This court is at West 4 and 6th ave. West village . Right at the exit

[@craigversheck7835]

I was a young skateboarder and graffiti kid (12/13 years old) in the late 80's early 90's from long island. We would go skate Washington square park all the time. We went over to the McDonald's one day and that's when I first ever saw the cage. Blew my mind. Like the first time I saw people skateboarding, when I saw NYC street basketball and was blown away!!! I loved watching those guys play and the spot always had new graff. They were intense, reminded me of skaters the way they lived/played.

[@RDoubt96]

Did you run with the graf crew from West 3rd named RFC?

[@elsplace896]

I used to walk by here way back in the 80s, had heard Jaco Pastorius would play there and dont' remember if I went looking for him when he was supposedly missing. I'm glad it's still going strong.

[@volcanopulp]

Who refs these games? Those dudes have to be really tuff not to be intimated by the players.

[@chrisd3969]

When your play games like that constantly you'll eventually get used to it. It's the same thing hockey used to be you would chirp and check eachother all the time it's only recently sports have gotten pussified. I miss the old days sigh.

[@ter1413]

Not really. Some of the guys ref at leagues all around the city and know/have known the players for years. It's not the wild...wild west. I live in NYC and have watched games at W 4th for years. Never saw a fight in a league game or a serious issue with a ref.

[@volcanopulp]

@@ter1413 thank you for your response and insight. I didn't know that. Let's admit both those who play and ref are awesome. I remember those sunny days after work standing with my fingers and face pressed against the chain link fence watching them play.💗.( Ps I love nyc recently moved to NC from nyc. 🥰 )

[@clintcbrantley5542]

Played there back in the 70’s.

[@imjustthatnigga]

Uncle Drew?

[@lamarstrong7740]

Legends last time I seen it I was watching street 🏀

[@McEL-ux1gq]

Much luv 2 the game. Too the ppl. To the streets.

[@keithwisdom1663]

Parents took me down there in 1970s and i kept going for years until i moved.

[@kevinpawl211]

Jimmy fallon played their, uncle drew

[@donx2341]

🔥🔥🔥

[@theunthinkable1021]

How come other NYC boroughs don't have such street hoop courts? Manhattan is basically getting all the recognition among these boroughs.

[@helgenx]

Maybe because Manhattan is the center of attention, and West 4th station has most of the trains from multiple boroughs stop right in front of it.

[@Jdotwriter24_]

Look at this, then look at this

[@AKA_K.E.W.]

Am I the only one who saw dexton crunchfeild I'm there

[@kevincohn9752]

@ 1:53

[@mateuscaroni7848]

I like the American basketball, but at Brazil it's not popular the street basketball, only street soccer.

[@serdelag100]

Is this where "Abovr the Rim" movie was filmed??

[@keithwisdom1663]

No that was in Harlem h Rucker park

[@kinqmav226]

A yo who got next!

[@jeromewise1863]

I dony knor

[@redsiberian]

And yet the New York Knicks are the laughing stock of the NBA 😂

[@uzkhan9803]

Man if they were good again that would mean so much to New York but it ain't gonna be for a long time until dolan sells the team

[@mujtab8siddiqu1]

NETS

[@TheRealBando2Hottie]

They did good in this year draft if they get a superstar give them 2-3 years

[@mujtab8siddiqu1]

NETS ARE THE NEW YORK TEAM

[@JC-rl6ln]

Mujtaba Siddiqui Lol no

[@thespacebananaofficial]

Qui est la a cause du cour d'anglais

[@liveinthemomintbreathoffre9958]

22 seconds in , look left!🍑

[@bugsbunny3137]

😎

[@BtheOutLIer]

I wouldn’t go over there at night, they play a different type of basketball!!! Lol