Faces of West 4th St.

Faces of 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 4th Street Court. And for the past six years I’ve returned again and again to the West 4th 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 players and fans who have created this unique sub-culture.