Washington Heights in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Greg Marius Court
Holcombe Rucker Park
Photographed By Larry Gertner, May 10, 2019
1. Greg Marius Court Marker
This basketball court is named in honor of Gregory Marius (1958-2017), founder of the popular Entertainers Basketball Classic at Rucker Park. Born in Harlem on March 18, 1958, Gregory Alexander Marius was a lifelong Harlem resident.
Marius founded the Entertainers Basketball Classic in 1982, when he was a young rapper in with the Disco Four. Initially organized as a tournament between rival hip-hop crews, Marius’s basketball showcase ingeniously connected the worlds of basketball and hip-hop. Expanding on Rucker Park’s existing history as a place where neighborhood talent could play sports celebrities, Marius invited basketball stars to the weeks-long tournament. The growing number of players from the National Basketball Association (NBA) drew enormous crowds, and in 1984 the tournament moved from Fred Samuel Playground (formerly Readers Digest Park) to Holcombe Rucker Park.
Since its founding, NBA superstars like Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Lebron James, and Shaquille O'Neal have held court at the Classic. In the 1990s, Marius expanded his vision integrated entertainers like Michael Bivins, Fat Joe, Jay Z, P. Diddy, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Mary J. Blige in the program. Political and business leaders such as United States President Bill Clinton and NBA Commissioner David Stern have also
this page online
On April 22, 2017, Gregory Marius passed away after his battle with cancer, but his legacy will live on in Harlem. Gus Wells and Cordell Marius, co-commissioners of Entertainers Basketball Classic, will keep Gregory Marius’ dream alive. In June 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio named Rucker Park’s basketball court Greg Marius Court, after the man who helped changed the culture of streetball in New York City.
Erected by NYC Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #42 William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 18, 1958.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 49.786′ N, 73° 56.207′ W. Marker was in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It was in Washington Heights. Marker was on West 155th Street near Frederick Douglass Boulevard, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: New York NY 10039, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Greg Marius Court (a few steps from this marker); Holcombe Rucker Park
Photographed By Larry Gertner, May 10, 2019
2. Greg Marius Court and Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . . NYC Parks - Holcombe Rucker Park highlights. Official NYC Parks page (Submitted on June 16, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Reebok via New York Times
3. Greg Marius
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on July 12, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 16, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
