A new kind of smart basketball hoop was installed at Tompkins Square Park in late August.
New York City received a donation from huupe founders Paul Anton and Lyth Saeed, allowing East Village residents the chance to try out the latest sports technology.
The world’s first smart basketball hoop, was inaugurated on Aug 29 by NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue and huupe CEO Anton.
“We want to see people, especially kids, experience the same excitement and innovation that inspired us to create huupe,” Anton said in an NYC Parks statement.
That same statement mentions that the smart hoop could be used seven days a week until early October when it will be removed from its East Village location.
The smart hoop — which is equipped with a 60’’ waterproof backboard and a video screen for shot and distance tracking — also features a webcam that enables feedback on shot accuracy and trajectory, promising an innovative experience for all basketball enthusiasts.
“It can be helpful for people who come by and just want to shoot around and see how they’re doing,” Tyler, a first-year student at East Side Community High School said. “I think it should be more around the city. This is good.”
“I come here a lot, but I did not know it was here until I saw a TikTok,” Caiden Valerio, another first-year student said. “Then I noticed, ‘Oh, they added this at Tompkins!’ So once school started, I came here.”
The installation and support from huupe were made possible through the NYC Adopt-a-Park program. This program allows individuals and organizations to contribute to their community by funding projects that enhance the park experience.
“We really wanted to give it to the largest city in the country,” Anton said in an interview for ABC. “NYC has always been a place that embraces basketball and has moved the game forward.”
Huupe founders originally launched the revolutionary basketball product in 2015. Seven years later, the startup began to receive funding as it made an impression among NBA coaches and players. Now, New Yorkers can experience the new basketball technology for about a month.
As people respond to these kinds of activities, Donoghue looks to add more facilities that will keep residents engaged with NYC parks. “We know that the more people are using our parks, the more well-programmed they are, the safer they are,” Donoghue told ABC. “We are looking to add amenities that bring people that engage New Yorkers.”