Marcelo Silva falls on the floor from exhaustion after a long cardio training at the Kaleman basketball court, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Silva also plays the São Bernardo city, a neighbor city.

Woney Peterson encourages his players to work together during a practice session at the Kaleman basketball court, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. De Souza says that basketball has changed his life, and he thinks that by sharing his knowledge to younger players he can do the same to them.

From left, Matheus Dias Lagares, Marcelo Silva and Samuel Ponciano sweep and pick up the trash left by players and attendees at the Kaleman basketball court in Diadema, São Paulo, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Without any help from the city whatsoever, cleaning and fixing the court has become an unfortunate tradition for the players that were raised in the space. 

Woney Peterson writes the names of teams on a notebook at the Kaleman basketball court, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Whenever the court gets full, with more than 30 people, they pull out a notebook so they can organize the teams.

Influencer Haakin, or “Dunk Boy” finishes a dunk during a charity game at the Kaleman basketball court, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Thursday, March 26, 2023. Social media has made a powerful impact in the popularity of the court, in which street basketball profiles share highlights reaching international recognition.

Woney Peterson waits for Gregory Azevedo to begin practice at the Kaleman basketball court, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Thursday, April 12, 2023.

Woney Peterson, or Bionico, got his first basketball when he was 11 years old as a gift from his mother, an ex basketball player; at the time he didn’t know that this gift would open a door for him in the future.

Bionico grew up and lives in the Campanário neighborhood, in Diadema, and has been playing  at the Kaleman court since 98, a place so special that it became part of who he is, tattooed on his torso. After years of playing professionally, he established himself as a streetballer, in which he has been part of different squads. For him many players find their shelter in streetball, and he sees it as a way of creating social inclusion. 

One of many community members that raise money from their own pockets to maintain the Kaleman space usable, Bionico also trains young adults from the neighborhood. Sharing his knowledge is a path to create a better future for the new generation in his opinion, not only in basketball but also in life. “The sport saved me and I believe it can save many more people,” he says.

Rodrigo Oliveira, or Digão, stands at Rua Laudelina da Costa Pott, the street where a slaughter happened in the 90s, and later gave the name to the Kaleman park, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Monday, July 17, 2023. Digão knew the victims personally, and says that the topic is still sensitive in the community and not really talked about.

The Kaleman court during a pick-up game night, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Kiko, Alexandre, Lano, Edielson, Marcelo and André are the names of the victims of a slaughter in the beginning of the 1990s in the city of Diadema, state of São Paulo, Brazil. As an homage, their initials form the name Kaleman, a space for leisure and the home of street basketball in an impoverished neighborhood called Jardim Campanário.

Marcelo Silva broke his hand during a pick-up game of basketball at the Kaleman court, in Diadema, São Paulo. Even though his hand was wrapped, he still wanted to play, but was quickly stopped by the court mentors.

Woney Peterson, or Bionico, removes Marcelo Silva´s jersey in a street ball play at the Kaleman basketball court, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Thursday, March 2, 2023. The court calls for the attention of a variety of people, most of them are there to watch pick-up game and hangout.

Players discuss if a play was a valid or not at the Kaleman basketball court, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Kenny Obinna falls while fighting for the ball with Alexandre Lopes during a pickup game at the Kaleman basketball court, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Players react to a highlight play during a pickup game at the Kaleman basketball court, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. Almost two weeks after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers during the playoffs, Brooklyn Nets’ Day’Ron Sharpe showed up at the Kaleman basketball court. This is the first time ever an NBA player has shown up at the home of Diadema basketball. His presence lit the fire of competitiveness, making the night unforgettable.

Gregory Azevedo goes up for a layup during a pick-up game at the Kaleman basketball court, in Diadema, São Paulo, on Thursday, April 13, 2023. The court has its own rules, in which teams can only have four players and if someone calls a foul the basket won’t count.