You've heard about basketball, of course—one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of viewers at home and abroad. You know that New York City is one of the best places to see the game in its professional, collegiate and pickup forms. But if you're a novice, you might still have a few questions. What is a Knick? Where is streetball played, and how can you watch? Are graphing calculators allowed? Worry not—this is the year you become a fan. We've created the ultimate beginner's guide to NYC hoops.
NYC NBA Cheat Sheet
College Basketball in NYC
You may not think of New York City as the center of the college basketball universe—we're a long way from Lawrence, Kansas, or North Carolina's Tobacco Road, for that matter—but there may be no place where you can see a wider variety of NCAA action. Starting with early season events like the NIT Season Tip-Off in November and through the Atlantic 10 and Big East tournaments in March, Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center frequently host top-ranked programs.
Basketball All Year Round
Even in summertime, when the NBA is out of season and local college teams are off, you can see plenty of competitive basketball. Playground basketball is free and takes place all around the five boroughs, and the WNBA's New York Liberty—led by Olympian, NCAA champion and Queens native Tina Charles—play some games within the City limits.