Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball has definitely made an impression on the Queen City since he joined the team in 2020. Coming off his very first appearance in the NBA All-Star game, LaMelo teamed up with athletic gear giant Puma to celebrate the release of his (already sold out) “Queen City” MB.01 sneaker by giving back to the local community.
The basketball courts at L.C. Coleman Neighborhood Park in West Charlotte have been reborn, now adorning the purple and teal colorway true to the Queen City and reminiscent of LaMelo’s latest sneaker. The refurbished courts provide a safe space for lovers of the game.
“It’s always a big deal because we deal with a lot of violence in the communities that we serve,”artist Deonte Ward (When Dee Speaks), who worked on the project, told THE BLOCK. “While at Coleman (Park), I was talking to two of the youth and their hope is that the courts will bring more positive attention.”
Now hosting the rookie player’s logo at half-court, that dream can be fulfilled.
This is not the first time D.C. native When Dee Speaks has worked on a project of this caliber. The project was orchestrated by Project Blackboard, a 501(c)(3) organization that renovates public basketball courts across the country to strengthen communities. When you think about it, sneaker culture has a way of bringing people together.
“Fashion plays a huge part in our culture and sports, especially basketball, since people say it’s the flashiest after football,” Dee said. “You compare that to the schools in the communities that we serve, they will put uniforms in the schools just to prevent bullying.
“The one thing they can change is their tennis shoes, so it’s an important part of who we are and what we represent.”
This is one reason representation matters—something the activist that the Charlotte park is named after believed in. L.C. Coleman was a Charlotte native and community activist very present in the fight for the integration of neighborhood parks.
something that all of the artists involved can relate to, regardless of where they are from.
For Los Angles native Edwin Fregoso, the impact hit right at home.
“Growing up, I wasn’t influenced by the right people,” he said. “When I got into this, putting murals on courts, I saw the impact that it had on communities. The process between when you get there to when you leave is amazing.”
Art is a force; almost like a superpower. And activating artistic talent can inspire generations—just like LaMelo does when he steps foot on the basketball court, rocking those purple and teal MB.01 sneakers.
