World Tour: Stop One

Article written by Joe Walker

During my time as both a basketball fan and eventually a journalist, I have met many players and individuals involved in the sport but one meeting that will forever stick in my head was my conversation with a basketballer who had just recently come off of winning a championship, who told me that playing against the everyday people at the park is what allowed him to become more successful in this sport. Throughout the history of basketball, the game has been played everywhere, from arenas to indoor gyms but arguably the most important location to play is the street. Whether that be a court in a public park or a homemade hoop in a driveway, every professional or amateur can say they learned to hone their skills and become a great player. I know this myself due to my own time on the basketball scene, as a player in my earlier years whereby I encountered many different players of various skill levels and ability: from young children just getting into the world of basketball, to men who could be considered as some of the greatest basketballers of their generation. It has been through these experiences with these fantastic players and individuals that I have gained the skill to recognise the immense talent and determination it takes to succeed in the street basketball scene. My recognition of this is what led to me to my greatest task: attempting to find the greatest basketballers currently playing on the streets and parks across the globe. And now I believe I have found him:

                                             Tryfon Raptis

Raptis is the youngest on the entry on this list by far, only being 15 years old at the time of writing. Hailing from Athens, Greece, Raptis is a brilliant young player who definitely has the potential to become a professional. Although he is short, standing at a diminutive 5"6', Raptis more than makes up for his shortness with his speed and athleticism. accompanying Tryfon's speed are his even faster hands, whether that being on the defensive end getting steals or the offensive end, whereby he is able to dribble at such a pace that those unfortunate enough to face him do not know where the ball is until it has already passed through the rim and it is too late.