Yesterday, Boston Celtics point guard Kemba Walker went back home to Rucker Park in support of the Kevin Shaw Jr. Foundation's anti-gun violence event. There, Walker spoke about his decision to join the Celtics, comparisons to Kyrie Irving, and his focus on inspiring the community.
Founded in the New York neighborhood of Harlem, the history of Rucker Park has quite a special place in the world of basketball. Rucker has been around since its earliest basketball tournament "The Rucker League" in the 1950s, which was established by Harlem playground director Holcombe Rucker.
While this may be where the park gets its literal name, "the mecca of basketball" title comes from the many famous faces that have left their sneaker imprint on the cherished concrete, from both the streetball world and the NBA alike.