Sometimes, you'd hear about the legends of the park — the hoopers who couldn't be beat, the ones who dropped 30 in a pickup run. If you were lucky, you saw them once in a while, and it felt like a mini‑NBA game right in front of you. But when the ball stopped bouncing, the stories faded. There was no way to track your win‑loss record, no leaderboard, no history.

That curiosity stuck with me for years — and it's the reason I built Courtside Connect.

Growing Up in Toronto's Pickup Basketball Scene

Toronto's grassroots basketball community is stacked with talent. From high school gyms to outdoor courts, pickup basketball is where skills are sharpened, rivalries are born, and friendships last a lifetime. But unlike organized leagues, there's no official way to track your basketball stats, settle friendly debates, or see who really runs the court.

The Problem — Why So Many Great Games Are Forgotten

Without a way to record results, moments are lost forever:

• The close 1v1 battles that decided bragging rights.
• The surprise wins that made you a legend for a day.
• The rivalries that could have been tracked over years.
• The connections you could have built if you remembered every player you faced.

We lose more than stats — we lose the history of the game itself.

The Vision — How Courtside Connect Changes the Game

I built Courtside Connect, a pickup basketball app for hoopers who play for the love of it — and want their games to count.

• Track your win‑loss record for 1v1, 3v3, and more.
• Challenge friends or new players directly in the app.
• Schedule runs privately with mutuals or make them public for the community.
• Climb local leaderboards and see who the top ballers are at each court and across the city.
• Compete under an ELO‑based ranking system so matchups are fair and competitive.

Why This Matters

Imagine pulling up to your local court, opening your phone, and instantly seeing:

• The top 10 players at that court.
• Their records and win streaks.
• The option to challenge them on the spot.

No more wondering who's the best. No more forgotten games. Just a connected basketball community where every game matters — and where your name and legacy can grow.

What We Lose Without Tracking Our Games

• Documenting the rise of local talent before they go pro.
• Building a verified record of your skills and progress.
• Strengthening your reputation in the streetball community.
• Creating connections beyond your usual circle of hoopers.

The Future of Grassroots Basketball

This isn't just about basketball stat tracking — it's about creating a platform where anyone, anywhere, can get recognized. Courtside Connect will grow into a network of players, courts, and competitions. The ultimate vision? Verified stats, court‑by‑court rankings, and grassroots tournaments powered by real records.