Nipsey Hussle Memorial Basketball Court Set To Open

Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle Memorial Basketball Court Set To Open

Slain rapper Nipsey Hussle has finally been laid to rest in his hometown of Los Angeles, but his memory is set to live on thanks to a memorial basketball court constructed in his honor, which is set to officially open.

Nipsey Hussle, Eric Holder

As fans may know, Hussle was a basketball fan, so the Nipsey Hussle Memorial Basketball Court is a fitting way to tribute the rapper who was fatally shot on March 31^st by alleged gunman Eric Holder. The basketball court is at the corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and 60th Street, where local artists have created a life-size mural with Hussle’s face to cover almost the entire span of the court, which is located outside Crete Academy non-profit charter school.

The mural is painted a bright blue with a checkerboard border and a profile of Hussle at mid-court. It measures about 46 feet wide, 78 feet long. Muralist Gustavo Zermano used a stencel from the middle of the court and worked his way out. The court will officially open with a ribbon cutting on April 13^th.

Speaking on creating the mural, Zermano said:

“When (Nick) asked me to be a part of this, I felt like I had to contribute something bigger, so that’s when I pitched the whole Nipsey thing, like actually painting him on the court. He was a big part of helping the kids, and when I heard it was at a school that’s when I was like, it’s for real.”

Nipsey Hussle

Nick Ansom, CEO of the Venice Basketball League, was the head of the basketball court project. He had discussed working with Hussle before his death, so deciding to construct a memorial basketball court made sense due to both men’s love of basketball and helping their communities.

Ansom said of Hussle:

“His legacy will live on and his spirit lives forever. He spoke through his music, but he also spoke through his actions. You have Nipsey (at mid-court) looking out toward his neighborhood and saying, ‘I’m still here with you guys.’”

The April 13^th ribbon cutting is scheduled for 12PM at 6103 Crenshaw Boulevard.