Bed-Stuy residents renew push to dedicate basketball courts after Brooklyn-born NBA Hall of Famer
According to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame website, Hawkins’ accomplishments include being a six-time NBA and ABA all-star, as well as 1968 ABA MVP and champion.
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There’s a renewed push to honor Connie Hawkins, the late NBA Hall of Famer from Brooklyn.
James McDougal, of Bed Stuy, told News 12 on Tuesday that he organizes a youth basketball league at St. Andrew’s Playground. It is the same park where Hawkins once played.
“We have more kids this year than ever,” said McDougal. “Why? [They’re] inspired by [Knicks point guard] Jalen Brunson; and what Jalen Brunson is doing today, Connie Hawkins did back in the ‘60s and the ‘70s.”
McDougal said he has spent the past seven years trying to get the basketball courts renamed after Hawkins.
Born in Bed-Stuy, Hawkins did not enter the NBA until the age of 27 but later became a Hall of Famer.
According to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame website, Hawkins’ accomplishments include being a six-time NBA and ABA all-star, as well as 1968 ABA MVP and champion.
Hawkins died in 2017 at the age of 75.
Danny Trotman, of Bed Stuy, supported the effort to honor him.
“My father played basketball with Connie Hawkins at St. Andrew’s Park,” said Trotman. “So, it’s so important to support the people who were taking care of the neighborhood when we were kids.”
McDougal said they have received a lot of support over the past seven years, including two petitions and local politicians.
“Only support we didn’t get is from the community board,” said McDougal. “[CB3] gave us seven years of excuses.”
McDougal claimed those excuses included construction delays and even disrespecting Hawkins' playing career.
“[CB3] told us, ‘[Hawkins] wasn’t honorable; He wasn’t that great of a basketball player; We’re going to wait five or six years to rename the park is slated to be renovated,’” said McDougal. “They gave us all kinds of excuses.”
The group filed a lawsuit last month.
News 12 reached out to Community Board 3 for comment but had not heard back.
