It’s a clear late-afternoon day in Metro Vancouver, temperature hovering around 22 degrees Celsius and the rain has managed to stay away. You want to take advantage of the ideal streetball weather outside to shoot a few hoops and run in a few pick-up games. In a fast-paced, traffic-congested city like Vancouver, it could be tough to call up nine hoopster buddies last-minute to meet up for some 5-on-5 full-court games at the park. Even just hitting up five of your buddies for quick 3-on-3 half-court games can be difficult to organize. Sometimes it’s just easier to run down to the park on your own and expect to find guys there shooting around and watch games already being played. And in no time, you’ll be next to play the “kings of the court”.

Even with fewer hoopsters playing on outdoor courts compared to a decade ago, pick-up games can still be found around Metro Vancouver parks. Besides the well-known courts of Kitsilano Beach, there are many streetball courts to choose from. Some are found under a bridge, surrounded by a fenced cage, lit up with floodlights, or tucked beside a busy street. At these five streetball locations you can expect to find hoopsters readily available to participate in some pick-up games:

1. David Lam Park, Yaletown

In the heart of Yaletown, David Lam Park offers two regulation-sized streetball courts. Surrounded by towering condo buildings and the picturesque trees and waters of False Creek, these courts always attract local hoopsters who live within and around downtown Vancouver. And since it’s also easily accessible by foot, bicycle, transit, or motor vehicle, a shortage of players is rarely found on these courts. You may find the occasional former college or semi-pro hoopster ballin’ here, so for people looking for some above-average streetball competition, these courts won’t disappoint.

2. South Arm Community Park, Richmond

Home of the Dolphin Basketball Classic Tournament since 2016, these popular courts definitely hold bragging rights to being some of the best outdoor courts in Metro Vancouver. Built in 2010 with polypropylene Sport Court surfaces, hoopsters have been migrating here ever since to test out the new state-of-the-art courts. The floodlights allow hoopsters to get some extra game action and play well into the night. And with plenty of parking and spectator seating, you’re definitely going to experience some very competitive streetball action.

3. Guildford Heights Park, North Surrey

Often referred to as “the cage”, this court has the feel of a Harlem-style streetball court with chained nets hanging from the hoops and a cross-linked fence surrounding the entire court. Sometimes you can catch the occasional hip-hop music blasting away from a boombox, adding to that true streetball experience. Tucked away in North Surrey, two blocks east of Guildford Mall, this court is a hidden gem. With only one full-court to offer, wait times can be little longer when busy. But it’s worth the wait as this court attracts its fair share of skilled streetballers. Games are normally played half-court, and with floodlights shining down on the court, games can continue well into the night. If you’re feeling a little hungry after a run of pick-up games, the Guildford Station Pub next to the park is where you can enjoy some pub food with your buddies.

4. Gray’s Park, East Vancouver

On 33rd Ave., three blocks east of Fraser St., this court also presents that “caged” feeling as it’s enclosed by a cross-linked fence. A run-and-gun, up-tempo style full-court game is the preferred choice of competition here, so you better be ready for a full-running workout. Popular with the local Filipino community, this streetball court brings Filipino hoopsters together for some spirited streetball match-ups. They proudly show-off their favourite PBA (Philippines Basketball Association) or NBA team jersey and engage in some friendly trash-talking. It’s recommended to get here early as possible as there no lights to shine on to the court and the large trees bordering the park block out most of the setting sun.

5. Thompson/Burnett Community Park, West Richmond

A genuine location for streetball, these 2 courts have attracted streetballers for the past 20 years. Their presence is still strong as ever and should continue into the next 20 years. There’s some rich history here at Thompson/Burnett Park as it hosted the Dolphin Basketball Classic for several years before relocating to South Arm Park. The Dolphin Classic logo is still visible on each of the four fibreglass backboards, reminding everyone of the legacy of hoopsters who once competed on these courts. Veteran greats such as Josh Masters, who defended his title in the Dolphin Classic Slam Dunk competition year after year. There is also spectator seating, flood lights and plenty of parking available which adds to the attraction of these courts.

If you have a favourite streetball court or a favourite streetball memory you would like to share, I definitely want to hear about it.