Pickup Basketball on Staten Island: What to Expect at Your First SIBL Run
If you’re looking for pickup basketball on Staten Island and your schoolyard days are behind you, the outdoor park courts aren’t your only option. Since 1980, the Staten Island Basketball League (SIBL) has run indoor pickup games on the hardwood at PS 8 in Great Kills.
The run was founded by Craig Raucher, a former Brooklyn College player who still serves as its commissioner, and still plays. SIBL isn’t a traditional league with standings and referees. It’s a high-level, organized pickup game for adults who want real competition without the chaos of a crowded park court.
This guide walks you through your first SIBL run: how to get in, what to bring, how the games work, and the unwritten rules that have kept this run going for more than four decades.
SIBL at a Glance
| Founded | 1980, by Craig Raucher |
| Where | PS 8, 112 Lindenwood Road, Great Kills, Staten Island |
| Court | Indoor hardwood, smaller-size court, classic wooden backboards |
| Who plays | Mostly adults aged 30 to 60 |
| Players’ day jobs | Postal workers, attorneys, police officers, business owners and more |
| How often | Twice a week [confirm current days and times] |
| How to join | Contact the commissioner through sibl.us before your first visit |
How an SIBL Run Differs from Park Pickup on Staten Island
Most pickup basketball on Staten Island happens outdoors. Park courts are free and open to anyone, and they get busiest on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. But you can wait a long time to get next, the level changes every day, and concrete is tough on knees.
SIBL began as an alternative to exactly that: hard outdoor surfaces and rough play. The focus is on mature players who still want to compete.
| Park court pickup | SIBL run at PS 8 | |
| Surface | Asphalt or concrete | Indoor hardwood |
| Weather | Rain, cold and heat cancel games | Indoors, so weather doesn’t stop the run |
| Who shows up | Anyone; ages and levels vary daily | A regular group of adults, mostly 30 to 60 |
| Organization | Self-run, “I got next” | Led by a commissioner who has run it since 1980 |
| Atmosphere | Anywhere from casual to combative | Competitive, built on camaraderie |
The court itself is part of the appeal. “We like it because it’s a smaller-size court,” Raucher told NY1 in a 2017 feature on the league. A smaller floor means shorter sprints, more possessions and less pounding on legs that have been playing for decades.
Before Your First Run: How to Get In
Reach out first, don’t just walk in
SIBL is an organized group, not an open gym. Contact the league through sibl.us and introduce yourself: your age, where you’ve played and how often you can come. A pickup run depends on reliable numbers, so the commissioner wants to know who’s coming.
Confirm the day, time and any fee
The league has met twice a week for decades, but schedules can shift with school building availability. Confirm the current days, start time and whether there is a player fee [confirm fee details] before you drive over.
Be honest about your level
Many regulars played in high school, college or the city schoolyards. You don’t need a résumé, but be honest about where your game is today. That helps the commissioner build balanced teams, which is the heart of a good run. Craig Raucher explains why balance matters in how a commissioner keeps pickup games fair and competitive.
What to Bring to Your First SIBL Run
- Indoor basketball shoes with clean soles. Street shoes track grit onto the hardwood, and dusty soles slip. See this simple way to deal with slippery gym floors.
- A light shirt and a dark shirt, so you can play on either side.
- A full water bottle with your name on it.
- Any brace or sleeve you normally wear for knees or ankles.
- A small towel.
- Emergency contact details in your bag.
What Happens When You Walk into the Gym at PS 8
Arrive early and warm up
Get there 15 to 20 minutes early. Jog lightly, stretch and get some shots up. Arriving early also shows the regulars you take the run seriously. If a game is already on, watch a few possessions to read the pace and how physical it is.
How teams are picked
Every run has its own method: shooting free throws, captains choosing or the organizer setting sides. In an organized run like SIBL, the aim is even teams so every game stays competitive. Ask how sides are made, and accept where you’re placed.
Game format and rotation
Pickup games are short games to a set score. A common pickup standard is first to 11, win by two. Before the tip, ask what score games go to, whether baskets count as 1s and 2s, and who sits out after each game.
No referees: calling your own fouls
There are no officials in pickup. The player who is fouled makes the call. Call fouls that affect the play, not every bump. If there’s a disagreement, don’t argue for five minutes. Most runs settle it by checking the ball up and moving on, and the regulars will tell you the house approach.
The Unwritten Rules of a Good Run
- Call the score out loud after baskets so nobody loses track.
- Pass first in your first game. Earn touches before you hunt shots.
- Get back on defense. Nothing frustrates teammates faster than a player who cherry-picks.
- Respect calls, even when you disagree.
- Keep contact under control. Everyone on that floor has a job to go to the next day.
- Don’t complain about teammates. Encourage instead.
- Help out. Chase loose balls, help reset the gym and be ready when your game is up.
- Come back consistently. Reliable players become regulars.
Playing Smart After 30, 40 and 60
Pickup basketball is vigorous exercise. The CDC’s physical activity guidance says adults need 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, plus two days of muscle strengthening. Two runs a week can cover a big share of that.
To keep playing for years, not weeks:
- Warm up longer than you did at 20.
- Ease back in. If you’ve been away from the game, play part of the run, not all of it, on your first visit.
- Train on off days. Leg, hip and core strength protect your knees and ankles.
- Hydrate before and during the run.
- Check with your doctor first if you’ve been inactive or have a heart or joint condition, and stop if you feel chest pain, dizziness or sharp joint pain.
Longevity is possible. Craig Raucher kept playing after two knee replacements and rotator cuff surgery, and he writes about preparing your body before orthopedic surgery. NY1 also profiled Allan Kaplan, a member for 35 years who came back to play after tearing his Achilles at 61.
Why SIBL Has Lasted Since 1980
The league’s roots are in Brooklyn. It kept the Staten Island name after many original members moved to Staten Island and New Jersey, and it has stayed at PS 8 in Great Kills ever since. NY1 called it one of the longest-running pickup games in town.
What keeps it going is simple: a fixed home court, a consistent schedule, fair teams and players who respect each other. Read more on why the Staten Island Basketball League matters now more than ever and the longevity of the Staten Island Basketball League.
First-Timer Mistakes to Avoid
- Showing up unannounced instead of contacting the commissioner first.
- Going 100% in your first game before you’re warm.
- Wearing outdoor shoes on the hardwood.
- Arguing calls.
- Coming once and disappearing. Consistency is how you become a regular.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I play indoor pickup basketball on Staten Island?
The Staten Island Basketball League runs indoor pickup games at PS 8 in Great Kills. Outdoor park courts across the borough also host free, informal games.
Who can join the Staten Island Basketball League?
SIBL mostly welcomes adult players aged 30 to 60 who want competitive, respectful pickup basketball. Contact the commissioner through sibl.us before your first visit.
Do I need to have played college basketball?
No. Many regulars played in high school, college or the schoolyard, but what matters most is being honest about your level and playing the right way.
How often does SIBL play?
The league meets twice a week at PS 8. Confirm the current days and times with the commissioner, as schedules can change.
Are there referees at SIBL games?
No. Like most pickup runs, players call their own fouls, which is why sportsmanship is central to the league.
What should I wear to my first run?
Clean indoor basketball shoes, comfortable athletic clothes, and a light and a dark shirt so you can switch sides.
Who runs the Staten Island Basketball League?
Craig Raucher founded SIBL in 1980 and still serves as its commissioner.
Is pickup basketball safe for players over 50?
It can be, with a proper warm-up, gradual return, strength work on off days and a doctor’s clearance if you’ve been inactive or have health concerns.
Ready for Your First SIBL Run?
An SIBL run gives you what most pickup basketball on Staten Island can’t: a real indoor court, a regular group of competitive adults and a commissioner who keeps the games fair. Reach out through sibl.us, confirm the schedule, bring clean shoes and come ready to pass, defend and respect the game.
Want to know more about the man behind the league? Read Craig Raucher’s story of leadership, resilience and community through basketball.