The City League will resurrect a cornerstone of Indianapolis basketball legacy at the Indiana State Fairgrounds this weekend.
The inaugural Granddaddy Dust Bowl tournament (Aug. 8-10) pays homage to the historic Lockfield Dust Bowl courts, where the city’s pickup basketball culture ignited in the late 1940s.
Executive director of The City League Austin Taylor emphasized the tribute’s significance.
“The name honors where Indianapolis basketball started: Lockfield Gardens,” Taylor said. “We’re reclaiming that legacy.”
The upcoming event takes place from Aug. 8-10 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds with free viewing available for those who have fair admission.
This exciting competition features ten teams from Chicago, Louisville, Evansville and Indianapolis, all vying for a substantial prize of a $10,000 purse. The venue has been designed to emulate the iconic atmosphere of Harlem’s Rucker Park, adding a unique flair to the experience.
Taylor voiced urgency about reviving outdoor play.
“Our best players don’t play outside anymore, that culture has faded,” Taylor told the Indianapolis Recorder. “We’re turning back the clock.”
The Dust Bowl courts birthed Indianapolis’ community-driven basketball ethos many decades ago. This tournament channels that raw, communal energy, prioritizing visibility and accessibility over commercial spectacle.
“Understanding who came before us? That’s sacrosanct,” Taylor said, underscoring the event’s mission to reconnect players with the city’s hardwood roots.
Taylor implored spectators: “We want to pack the event out and create a pulsating environment for these athletes and fans.”
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Facebook and TikTok @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
