Five best places to play pickup basketball in Broward County

As the NBA campaign charges on and NCAA March Madness looms around the corner, it’s safe to say that basketball season is in full bloom. For those who love the game, this time of year evokes raw competitive spirit and can reignite the fiercest of rivalries.

Broward County is home to a plethora of public parks that allow residents to grab a couple of friends and run some pick-up basketball games. Here are five of the best sports complexes and regional parks to hoop at across the county.

Ansin Sports Complex. (Olivier Lafontant/SFMN)

Ansin Sports Complex
10801 Miramar Blvd
Miramar, FL 33025
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Saturday) / 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
(954) 602-4990

The city of Miramar’s Ansin Sports Complex is home to one of the only internationally certified track and field venues in the state, and it’s also home to some of the cleanest, most accessible basketball courts in the county. With three full outdoor basketball courts, there’s plenty of space to play a full five-on-five or just to shoot around casually. High-quality, single-rim hoops stand tall on the blue and red blacktop, and a gated fence surrounds the area for security. The courts also come equipped with water fountains and bleachers for spectators.

Flamingo Park. (Shamyr Touze/SFMN)

Flamingo Park
12855 NW 8th St
Sunrise, FL 33326
8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(954) 747-4600

If you are looking for intense basketball games, Flamingo Park is a great place to go, too.

This park comes complete with an airnasium with three full courts, single rim hoops, two benches, and a water fountain. In recent times, Flamingo has grown in popularity for its high-intensity games. Famous basketball YouTubers such as Friga, Cam Wilder and the entire East Coast Squad frequently meet up here to film videos. These guys bring in very large crowds and the atmosphere while they are playing is always exhilarating.

Miramar Regional Park. (Olivier Lafontant/SFMN)

Miramar Regional Park
16801 Miramar Pkwy
Miramar, FL 33027
8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
(954) 883-6950

Miramar Regional consists of two full outdoor courts with single-rim hoops and a blue and red color scheme for the blacktop. A water fountain and seating area can be found on the outskirts of the courts, with a large body of water in the distance for additional scenery. This park is considered one of the busiest spots in the surrounding area, as many local events lead to a high volume of regular visitors. Come by here on a Friday evening with your best squad, and you’ll be sure to find a fun matchup. 

Silver Lakes North Park. (Shamyr Touze/SFMN)

Silver Lakes North Park
2300 NW 172nd Ave.
Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
7 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Monday – Saturday) / 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sunday)
(954) 392-2130

For the introverted athlete, Silver Lakes North Park in Pembroke Pines is a spot to keep in mind. It consists of two full outdoor courts on a green blacktop with double rim hoops, bleachers, and a great view of the skyline for sunsets and sunrises. This park and its regular residents typically maintain a very calm atmosphere in a more secluded location. This is a great place to go by yourself to shoot some hoops and relax without being bothered.

Weston Regional Park. (Shamyr Touze/SFMN)

Weston Regional Park
20200 Saddle Club Rd
Weston, FL 33327
6 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Monday – Saturday) /  7 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Sunday)
(954) 389-4321

Weston Regional Park is one of the most family-friendly parks in Broward. With eight full outdoor courts, this park is by far the largest on the list. Weston Regional welcomes large crowds with open arms with the best quality single-rim hoops in the area and an abundance of water fountains and benches around the courts. The waiting time for games rarely tends to be long due to so many available courts. An added bonus comes in the form of shade covers in the bleachers that protect spectators from the beaming sun.

Olivier Lafontant is an aspiring music journalist who is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in digital journalism at Florida International University. He enjoys thrifting, collecting vinyl, taking film photography and watching sports in his free time.