DOIN’ IT IN THE PARK WORLD TOUR: MEXICO CITY
Words by Bobbito Garcia, Visuals by Kevin Couliau.
On May 11th, 2013, our film DOIN’ IT IN THE PARK: PICK-UP BASKETBALL, NYC premiered in Mexico City as a free outdoor event, presented by Nike Sportswear Mexico. Co-director Kevin Couliau and I were flown in to do a Q&A as well as play ball at the city’s top courts!
Since the 1980s, I’ve always loved watching pick-up games with exclusively Mexican-born adult players at the Goat (where I grew up) or the White Park (in Spanish Harlem). The pace is fast with lots of passing, and their families spectate so there’s always a fun, festive vibe.
Popotla a.k.a. “Cañita,” one of the parks Kevin and I visited in Mexico City, had a similar air. There were five full courts, one with 8’ biddy rims, and every single one had players on it! The youth tournament had a crowd. Teams with next were shooting on the sides. Army soldiers took turns missing jumpers while laughing. Small children dribbled off their feet and chased the ball with joy as their parents watched.
THE APPAREL, THE MOVEMENT
APPAREL AVAILABLE NOW ON DOINITINTHEPARK.COM
Back in June 2010, when Bobbito Garcia and I got on our bikes to explore New York City’s basketball culture, we didn’t really know where it would lead us. On May 1, 2013, we gave life to an 85 minute documentary that revealed the essence of the game as well as the common denominator that unifies every ballplayer on earth: pick-up ball.



