Pickup Basketball is our fond term for a game played by

millions on a daily basis. Informal, unpredictable, yet

essential to our lives is this game. Why, where, and who the

characters are that fill ours courts consistently and earnestly

day after day are explained within this very book.

Not easily explained in words, our passion for the game is

so often expressed by weekly piles of sweaty tee shirts,

bumps, bruises, sprains, occasional grunts, and wise-cracking

conversation on and around the court. We arrange

our busy schedules of family and work around our pickup

games, so addictive is our sport. We come back day after

day, week after week, despite the sore muscles, and upon

the end of a session always look forward to the next time.

The whos, wheres, and whys of pickup basketball are

attempted to be explained herein as a humorous ensemble

of pictures and words, taken from real life experiences on

AmericaÕs urban, suburban, and rural courts.