The World is His

Harlem’s Mohamed Bamba is a top-3 prospect in the Class of 2017, and though he’ll likely sign with a traditional powerhouse, he hasn’t ruled out Harvard. We caught up with our new high school diarist at his home court, the Kingdome, to find out what makes him so unique.

- Franklyn Calle

Standing on the Kingdome playground, the famed court located right in the middle of the King Towers public housing projects in Harlem, five-star Class of 2017 prospect Mohamed Bamba and his older brother Ibrahim share some laughs as they go back and forth, remembering moments that happened on the exact spot of our photo shoot.

While the court is known for its summer pro-league, the Kingdome Classic, which saw NYC legends like Walter Berry, Ed Pinckney, Rafer Alston and Ron Artest all pass through and partake in the action over the decades, for Mo and Ibrahim, it’s just simply the playground located across the street from their apartment on the other side of Malcolm X Boulevard—and where Midnight Madness has been given a new meaning.

About three years ago, Bamba, who hoops with PSA Cardinals in the Nike EYBL summer circuit, along with his brother, began partaking in summer pick-up runs at midnight at the hallowed court along with local hoopers, taking advantage of the lights that illuminate the floor at dusk.