Biggie Might Get His Own Basketball Court In Clinton Hill: Report

CLINTON HILL, BROOKLYN — Biggie news for basketball players — the Notorious B.I.G. might get his own memorial court in Clinton Hill, according to reports.

Councilman Robert Cornegy’s plan to dedicate the Crispus Attucks Playground basketball courts to Biggie has been approved by the Community Board 2 Parks Committee, the Brooklyn Paper reported Friday.

The basketball courts on Fulton Street and Classon Avenue have been hosting annual tournaments to honor Clinton Hill resident Christopher Wallace, a.k.a Biggie, since the rap artist was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1997, according to the Brooklyn Paper.

A post shared by Coach Shabazz (@xmenbasketball) on Jul 27, 2015 at 11:32am PDT

Cornegy’s plan calls for a plaque with Christopher Wallace’s name in the court and a brief summary of the contributions he has made to the neighborhood.

The plan earned a unanimous vote from the Parks Committee but did not get unanimous approval from residents, several of whom objected to the message in the hip-hop star’s music.

“By naming a park after him you are endorsing that he stood for drugs and carrying illegal guns,” Fort Greene resident Lucy Koteen reportedly said.

Some of our players at the #biggie #tournament #dreambig they came from #winning 2 #games at another tournament and unfortunately lost in this tournament!!!! We had a great time tho!!! Thanks to @dream_big_bball we'll be back next year!!! #basketball #follow #likes #bball #loveball #bk #ny #jmcobras #ballislyfe
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But Cornegy argued that Biggie made big contributions to the community’s children, even after his death, and cited the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, whose slogan is “B.I.G.: Books Instead of Guns,” according to the Brooklyn Paper.

It's not the first time a Notorious B.I.G. memorial has stirred controversy this year — news that the Bed-Stuy Biggie mural would be erased caused such an outrage that the plans were nixed.

The proposed Christopher Wallace plaque will be up for a vote at the next Community Board 2 executive meeting on June 26.

Photo by Kathleen Culliton