This body of work is a photographic exploration of rustic and makeshift basketball hoops and playgrounds found throughout the United States. The backboard and the space around it offer insight into the culture of basketball in various regions of the country. I’m interested not only in the hoop itself but also in the backstory that comes with each one.

To many people, basketball is a religion. The sport is a major part of their lives and, in some ways, defines a collective lifestyle. Playing basketball becomes a necessity, and the backboard and court become fixed parts of the yard—just as important and functional as a clothesline in the backyard or a car in the driveway.

I collect stories along with many of the scenes I photograph. I always ask for permission and usually inquire about the history of the hoop—when it was built, who played there, their choice of materials, and more.

This collection of images began in the reservations and mountain regions of the Southwest and has since spread to the rural areas of the Midwest and the South. I focus my photography on the homemade and improvised basketball hoops I discover. Over time, the lines on the court become overgrown with grass, weeds, and sand, and these backboards transform into relics within the spaces they occupy. I also appreciate how each hoop is created; the handmade quality enhances the overall aesthetic and demonstrates that people will go to great lengths to build a rim and a court just to play the game.

Each backboard and court are unique, but the game remains the same.

Archival Inkjet Prints