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Bobbito's Book of B-Ball Bong Bong!: A Memoir of Sports, Style, and Soul
A Radio Hall of Famer and sneaker culture icon, Bobbito García is also a basketball sage who chronicles his unlikely experiences in and around the game as a Latino raised on hip-hop.
BASKETBALL ON NEW YORK CITY’S 700+ OUTDOOR COURTS was bubbling during the seventies and eighties and coincided with the birth of hip-hop and sneaker culture. Bobbito García came of age during this era and caught an uncontrollable fever to be a ballplayer, witnessing firsthand the gumbo of sports, music, and fashion in the local parks. The game influenced his style, language, movement, creative thought, and, in a personal manner, his well-being. He couldn’t go anywhere without a ball in his hand, practice shorts under his pants, and kicks on his feet, ready for action at any point, any day (including his first job interview).
In the 1990s, Bobbito became a world-famous hip-hop radio host as well as the progenitor of sneaker journalism, but his world never stopped revolving around living and breathing at every local court he could find. Simultaneously, the outdoor basketball aesthetic emerged as a force in the sports/entertainment/footwear industry, a catalyst to market authenticity when a brand wanted to garner street credibility. Bobbito stood firmly at this cross section of subcultures, not only as a historian, photographer, writer, filmmaker, and active participant, but as a curator of the shift itself. Advertising legend John Jay, former global creative director at Wieden+Kennedy, called García his “cultural DJ” after they collaborated on Nike’s groundbreaking “NYC City Attack” ad campaign. The lifestyle of the park pickup player, now exposed, went on to impact the world, and the ripple effect could even be seen on the hardwood floors of the NBA.
In 2013, the New York Times referred to Bobbito as “an ardent ambassador for New York City street basketball.” This book is an intimate view into his life as a ballplayer, announcer, and performer. It doubles as a profound document for the unspoken folklore and history of the outdoor game, while speaking volumes to the roots of García’s favorite pastime―putting up jumpers and getting busy with the rock in his hands. In his Basketball is a religion. The park is my church . . .
Full-Color Photographs Throughout
BASKETBALL ON NEW YORK CITY’S 700+ OUTDOOR COURTS was bubbling during the seventies and eighties and coincided with the birth of hip-hop and sneaker culture. Bobbito García came of age during this era and caught an uncontrollable fever to be a ballplayer, witnessing firsthand the gumbo of sports, music, and fashion in the local parks. The game influenced his style, language, movement, creative thought, and, in a personal manner, his well-being. He couldn’t go anywhere without a ball in his hand, practice shorts under his pants, and kicks on his feet, ready for action at any point, any day (including his first job interview).
In the 1990s, Bobbito became a world-famous hip-hop radio host as well as the progenitor of sneaker journalism, but his world never stopped revolving around living and breathing at every local court he could find. Simultaneously, the outdoor basketball aesthetic emerged as a force in the sports/entertainment/footwear industry, a catalyst to market authenticity when a brand wanted to garner street credibility. Bobbito stood firmly at this cross section of subcultures, not only as a historian, photographer, writer, filmmaker, and active participant, but as a curator of the shift itself. Advertising legend John Jay, former global creative director at Wieden+Kennedy, called García his “cultural DJ” after they collaborated on Nike’s groundbreaking “NYC City Attack” ad campaign. The lifestyle of the park pickup player, now exposed, went on to impact the world, and the ripple effect could even be seen on the hardwood floors of the NBA.
In 2013, the New York Times referred to Bobbito as “an ardent ambassador for New York City street basketball.” This book is an intimate view into his life as a ballplayer, announcer, and performer. It doubles as a profound document for the unspoken folklore and history of the outdoor game, while speaking volumes to the roots of García’s favorite pastime―putting up jumpers and getting busy with the rock in his hands. In his Basketball is a religion. The park is my church . . .
Full-Color Photographs Throughout
216 pages, Hardcover
Published July 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 8, 2025
I do feel that any person can appreciate this book. However, the heart of this book is the way basketball creates camaraderie, connects people, inspires storytelling of things witnessed and old teammates.
I grew up in a basketball family. My father is a coach and I coached as well. I played pick up basketball into my 40s. I have so many memories of players I played with and against. Players I have coached. I have heard so many stories about players my father coached, or my friends coached and played against. If you have this sort of history with the game, this book is an absolute home run. Bobbito is a gem of a person; his enthusiasm for life has brought joy to so many through his relationships with music and basketball. His writing will inspire you to enjoy his stories but also to set you reminiscing on your own.
I grew up in a basketball family. My father is a coach and I coached as well. I played pick up basketball into my 40s. I have so many memories of players I played with and against. Players I have coached. I have heard so many stories about players my father coached, or my friends coached and played against. If you have this sort of history with the game, this book is an absolute home run. Bobbito is a gem of a person; his enthusiasm for life has brought joy to so many through his relationships with music and basketball. His writing will inspire you to enjoy his stories but also to set you reminiscing on your own.
June 10, 2025
Teens and adults interested in the game of basketball, its famous greats, and more, will be drawn into Bobbito’s story through his humor, first-person narrative, no-holds-barred NYC street lingo, and large, colorful photographs that accompany the text. It would make a great book club read for reluctant teen readers especially if, after every chapter, they were given the chance to practice what they learned on the courts. Read more about this ARC on my blog, as it was sent to me to give you an honest review: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....
May 28, 2025
4/5 STARS! This is a fun memoir & if you love basketball, this is the book for you. Bobbito's life & all his adventures were fun to read about & I loved the photographs scattered throughout. This book is a love story to basketball, but also a man finding his strength through the sport with his incredible passion to it. Very fun book.
Thank you to Akashic Press for the arc copy.
Thank you to Akashic Press for the arc copy.
July 4, 2025
From the freedom of the playground to the challenge of organized ball (hs, college, the pros), the joy and the friends you pick up along the way; Bob accentuates the unwritten rules of style that make the city game irresistible. Much like Kareem’s ‘Giant Steps’ - ‘Bong! Bong!’ Is a guide for any ballplayer.
July 13, 2025
*well-written, easy to read
*lots of pictures which helps visualize the story
*raw, honest and inspiring
*highly recommend
*lots of pictures which helps visualize the story
*raw, honest and inspiring
*highly recommend
December 13, 2025
Dunqueooooooooooo
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews