Reading the 1975 book Heaven Is A Playground by author Rick Telander as a youngster was foundational to me wanting to become a writer. The stories he shared of basketball in the parks of Brooklyn during the '70s just blew my mind. Decades later, Rick and I became supportive friends. Recently, he was enjoying my memoir Bobbito's Book of B-ball Bong Bong and randomly shared, "You know I still have the rights to my first title, right?" And from that point, we brainstormed with Clark Chen of Shirts & Skins, who like me is also a big fan of Rick's work, about a t-shirt collaboration.
The graphic is a combination of my hand lettering with a background from a photo I shot of the Haviland court in the Bronx, outlined and designed by Anthony Annandono. Wear this t-shirt while playing ball, reading one of our books, or just chillin' with your friends proudly!
-Bobbito García