Blacktop Publication Student Project

BLACKTOP magazine features a lesser-known side of the game of basketball: streetball. What is a deeply rooted culture at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, is unknown to many. Throughout the years, streetball culture has evolved into almost a completely separate entity to standard basketball. Some of the biggest NBA stars like Derrick Rose, Julius Erving, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant have suited up in various streetball parks. Names like these have immortalized the blacktop for generations, and generations to come. This magazine offers a deep dive into streetball culture, pulling inspiration from the gritty, tough, and unconventional style that lies on the blacktop. Streetball is rough, hardcore, and not for the weak; it has a very different set of rules from standardized basketball. It has interviews of some of the game’s greats who have competed on the blacktop, along with various photo galleries and in-depth articles updating fans about the game. It’s very aesthetic: primarily featuring a black and white color scheme due to the dark black look of the court. BLACKTOP celebrates and embraces the untold tales of the tough and gritty organized streetball culture residing in Venice Beach, California.

From the original award submission.