The tournament began as their father’s idea. A quarter century later, Joe and Randy Cruz carry on his legacy, committed to building one of the top streetball tournaments in New York City and around the world — Hoops in the Sun.
Hoops in the Sun, the Bronx-based streetball tournament, is entering its 25th season. For a two-month stretch from June to August, the league, composed of youth—the Rising Suns League—and adult teams, runs each weekend during the peak of the Orchard Beach heat.
One of the league’s trademark identities is its sublimated and colorful uniforms. For its silver anniversary, Hoops in the Sun is rolling out uniforms with a commemorative logo. This season’s jerseys also pay tribute to the man behind the idea, Joe “Pops” Cruz.
Streetball is an informal type of basketball, typically played outside on urban courts. It’s known as a stage for players to showcase their individual skills. In the United States, it’s popular in many big cities, but in New York and Los Angeles, it’s synonymous with summer culture.
In 1999, “Pops” was on a business trip to Venice, CA, when he saw the beach’s famous streetball culture up close.
“He saw the boardwalk, saw the experiences, the vibe, and he knew instantly he wanted to bring that same energy back to New York,” Randy Cruz said.
The Cruz family grew up in The Bronx, not far from Orchard Beach. The beach had become a second home to them, Randy said. It was their favorite hangout. “Pops” had a few meetings with the Department of Parks and Recreation. The department loved the idea of a tournament. In 2000, Hoops in the Sun began as an eight-team league. It’s now expanded to over 70 teams, according to Joe and Randy.
The tournament is designed to be a safe environment for up-and-coming players to showcase their talent. Many players have continued on to play in high school, college, and professionally.
A number of NBA players have also stopped by over the years, including Kemba Walker and Tracy McGrady.
“Pops” died in 2004. Without him, the tournament never would have come to life — something that his sons don’t take lightly.
“He had the wherewithal to bring this to Orchard Beach,” Randy said. “I want this to live on beyond me.”
Last Friday, at Hoops in the Sun’s 25th anniversary uniform unveiling event, held at Twenty Four New York’s Oculus location, one of the original uniforms from 2000 hung from a t-shirt rack at the back of the store. It was primitive: a red jersey with a white and yellow oval on the chest. On top read, “Hoops in the Sun.”
The uniforms, like the tournament, have long evolved since that first summer. The 2025 jerseys pop with color, with sublimated patterns and logos. Each team has its own design. While the Rising Suns league jerseys feature only text on the front, the primary “Hoops in the Sun” jerseys feature a photo of “Pops” on the chest, encircled by “Joe ‘Pops’ Cruz Courts.”
The uniforms were designed by Ray Rivera, who played in the tournament during its first 10 years, and Chozen Sportswear. In design meetings, Joe Cruz Jr. recalled that incorporating “Pops” into the design was non-negotiable.
“We can’t forget,” Joe remembered being told during the design process. “Even though the kids now growing up don’t know your pops, you and Randy become the new pops.”
“This is our thank you to him,” Joe added.
The tournament’s silver anniversary season is filled with promotions and special events. Joe said that they had plans to honor the tournament’s top 25 players of all time. They plan to honor previous champions with banners. In late July, instead of an all-star game, they’ll host an all-star weekend, inviting teams from around the state. The semi-finals and championship would, for the first time, be a best-of-three series format.
Joe also said that they had appearances from older players and special guests lined up.
Hoops in the Sun will embark on its 25th season on June 14, keeping the legacy of “Pops” alive, while continuing to provide a place for the youth and adults alike to hone their skills.
