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Photo: Nike

Nike is embedded pretty deep on Stanton Street in Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Its cash infusions over the years have helped both the soccer field (despite past turf problems) and basketball courts become some of the most heavily used in the area. And as of yesterday evening, the latter is latest to get a makeover.

The Swoosh tapped world-renowned street artist KAWS (aka Brian Donnelly) to redesign the court pavement, as part of a project called “New York Made: Stanton Street Courts.” The mural envelops the side-by-side basketball courts (approximately 116 by 80 feet), as well as the four hoops, and looks like Elmo. In its public statement, Nike noted that, “the court embodies [our] drive to elevate sport, culture and community through innovative collaborations.”

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“My approach to the courts was very similar to how I would work on canvas. I wanted to create something that was true to my language, but also considerate of this being a court that people are playing on,” the Brooklyn-based KAWS explains. “I wanted to find the sweet spot where it works visually and functionally — how its broken up by the game’s lines and works with my images. It will have an intimate effect on the players that use the court.”

Nike is also in the hyperlocal news this week due to its controversial five-floor store opening tomorrow at 529 Broadway.