The Basketball Community in Chile: “We are a Community”

In Santiago, Chile, there is a consensus of opinion: for the country, as far as basketball is concerned, the Pan American Games were a success. A respectable 5th place in the final standings and a huge turnout in the stands paved the way for a new chapter in Chilean basketball.

In the land of soccer, the sport is the perfect expression of the capital’s multiculturalism: the strong Venezuelan and Dominican immigration – nations with a tradition in this sport – brings a mixture of dialects, accents and different social contexts to the courts. In addition, major brands such as Adidas have been investing in renovating playing areas, creating communities that are giving new strength to Chile’s emerging basketball scene. Plaza Lo Besa, in Quinta Normal, on the outskirts of Santiago, is the perfect example of innovation and sustainability: painted with a substance that simulates photosynthesis (Photio), the surface itself has renewed the air in the area, with each court reproducing the work of 1,000 trees.

Shortly after the Games ended, Hoopers toured this vibrant atmosphere and spoke to some of the regular users of these venues. At Lo Besa, we met the brothers Henry and Nazareth, with whom we talked about the new life of Chilean basketball. We bring you that conversation.

Hoopers: What was the pitch like before the renovation? Who used the court?

This field was very messy when we first arrived. Five or six years ago. In fact, there was no space, the fence was damaged, there weren’t even any garbage cans. No, there was nothing.

When we arrived, we were 14, now we’re 18 and 19. But we didn’t play much basketball because the baskets were all broken.

Even for the people who played soccer it was bad, with no conditions and very disorganized. There was a time when they started renting out the court for soccer games. More than anything, for soccer instead of basketball.

The refurbishment of the court (ADIDAS’ intervention) took place about a year and a half ago. We used to play before the renovation, but everything was really bad. The floor was poorly maintained, there was only one hoop (and it was damaged) and then they added another, but it was in bad condition. We played anyway.

Hoopers: And who looks after the fields here?

The town hall and the community, we’re the ones who collect the garbage and things like that, but mainly the town hall.

Even so, in general, it was very neglected until this revitalization.

Hoopers: And many people come to play here?

Yes, at night. Many Venezuelans and Dominicans come. Because there are a lot of immigrants here in Quinta Normal.

The youngest are Chileans, but the oldest are Venezuelans, Dominicans and Chileans mixed together. In Venezuela and the Dominican Republic there is more of a basketball culture than here, where soccer is played more.

A lot of games are played at weekends, because the lifestyle here is: you work from Monday to Friday and you’re free on Saturday and Sunday. If you come, for example, on Saturday at 7 or 8 in the evening, or on Sunday, there’s a big community here that plays basketball.

Those who started playing basketball were the ones who started looking after the pitch. But there are also other people who don’t necessarily play basketball and also look after it. We’re a community, and we do what we can.

Hoopers: And do you think that with the change in the pitch, with the new paint and new equipment, the culture has changed a bit here?

Yes. You see more people playing, it’s more organized, safer. A while ago it was more dangerous, there was no fence and everything was open and not so good people were around the court. The renovation has made it more comfortable. The truth is that it’s now in its best version, its best moment. Little by little, I think that the more people come to the court, the more people from the community contribute. The more people encourage sport, the more people come.

Hoopers: And there are events on the court?
What happens is that sometimes the pitch is used to train teams. But more for soccer.

Hoopers: What’s the culture like on the court?

Here you can see 3×3 and 4×4 half-court games. Full court, very little. People who already know each other and have their own group play together. There is no community here that plays along. You come and play with your friends, someone else comes and plays with your friends. We don’t have any organized groups. We’re going to play because we want to move. Maybe there are some who do, but we don’t know.

In the center of Santiago, yes, there is more culture. Because there are many more Venezuelans and Dominicans. Chileans have been encouraging the practice of basketball because the competition has increased. You see a lot of Chileans who play basketball a bit more formally, who belong to clubs, who are in better sectors of the country, who come and go to community camps to show that there is talent in Chile too.

The Pan American Games were a surprise, both in 3×3 and 5×5. The result from Chile and the audience. There’s a strong social mix and in Chile there’s a lot of street music culture, so this is linking us to each other. Hip-hop, rap, basketball: this encourages children too.