NYC’s First ‘Smart’ Basketball Hoop Loses Internet Feature Over Obscenity Concerns

By: Hal C Clarke

The first public “smart” basketball hoop in New York City, known as the “Huupe,” has lost its live-streaming capabilities due to concerns about inappropriate behavior, according to the New York Post. The hoop, installed at Tompkins Square Park, was disconnected from the Internet to prevent misuse after the city’s experience with similar technology.

Huupe CEO Paul Anton confirmed that the decision came as part of an agreement with the city after concerns arose about potential obscene content being streamed. The situation mirrors an incident with a virtual portal in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, which connected New York to Dublin, Ireland. That project was shut down within a week due to raunchy behavior captured on the live stream.

With the streaming disabled, Huupe users can no longer access the backboard’s unique functions, such as watching YouTube, receiving training, or playing against others worldwide. “The main point of the Huupe is shot-tracking above all else,” Anton told the Post. He emphasized that the shot-tracking feature promotes physical activity more effectively than any other aspect.

Despite the innovative technology, the Huupe hasn’t attracted much attention. The East Village park was selected for its electrical access, and Anton insisted that thousands of shots are made on the Huupe daily, mainly by younger players. However, on a recent Sunday, the expensive hoop, valued at tens of thousands of dollars, was largely ignored, with players choosing the traditional hoops instead.

“I’m old-school,” said Sebastian Blank, a player found using a regular hoop. “There’s too much stuff going on. [The technology] gets in my head, and you focus on making mistakes instead of just seeing what happens,” he told the Post.

While some players, like online user Majesty Da Rebel, praised the Huupe as “revolutionary” for basketball culture, others remained skeptical. “How many basketball hoops have you seen like it? It’s the first of its kind,” Majesty stated, noting that he and about five others, including some company representatives, use it weekly.

Other players, such as Levi Carter-Frem and 14-year-old Wyatt Watson, cited several reasons for the Huupe’s underuse. They mentioned the hoop’s location in an unkempt corner of the park, unclear three-point lines, and rumors that it might not be set at the standard 10 feet. Watson noted that younger players use the Huupe when older ones dominate the regular courts. Blank added that the screen isn’t bright enough for nighttime play.

Online critics have questioned the durability of the high-tech hoop. “Wondering how many backboard shots that LCD screen can take before it shatters,” one user wrote on X. However, Anton assured the Post that the Huupe has experienced “zero hardware issues” so far. “I’m here living in New York now, so I’m the maintenance guy,” Anton said. “I check it out like five or six times a day, playing with kids with it all the time.”

Despite the lost streaming features, Anton insists the Huupe remains valuable for aspiring basketball players, as it provides real-time shot tracking and distance measurement. “We’re the first company in the world to display that information in real-time,” he told the Post. “It gives you a shot chart, just like in the NBA.”

The Huupe is expected to stay at Tompkins Square Park until October before being stored for the winter.