The sounds of basketballs hitting the pavement could be heard a block away at this year’s Hoopla.
Parking downtown was scarce for this year’s event as thousands of players and their families flocked to the cordoned off area around the State Capitol to watch the many 3×3 basketball games that occurred Friday through Sunday.
Hoopla is the largest 3×3 basketball tournament in Oregon. Now in its 24th year, the tournament features over 1,000 teams, 4,000 participants, 1,000 volunteers, tens of thousands of spectators, various food vendors, and occurs at an unmistakable venue in the shadow of the Oregon State Capitol Building on Court, State, and surrounding streets in downtown Salem.
All ages and abilities are welcome to form a team and register. For many participants, it is not just a basketball tournament but a long, mid-summer weekend that creates memories for a lifetime.
A team plays during Hoopla at the state Capitol on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A team waits their turn to play at Hoopla at the state Capitol on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Everything at Hoopla happens in the shadow of the state Capitol on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A team plays at the end of Court Street at the corner of 12th street at Hoopla in front of the state Capitol on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Hoopla XXIV as seen from the street next to the state Capitol on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)One the many 3 x 3 tourney games at Hoopla on July 29, 2023 next to the state Capitol on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Not everyone agreed with the referees’ decisions at Hoopla on July 29, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A family takes advantage of the cool shade and the grass in between games at Hoopla next to the state Capitol on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A team waits to play next at Hoopla in front of the state Capitol on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The view looking east down Court Street at Hoopla in front of the state Capitol on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A player concentrates on winning at Hoopla on July 29, 2023 next to the state Capitol on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)People were often seen playing in mixed teams at Hoopla on July 29, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Playing was often intense during the day at Hoopla on July 29, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A player concentrates on making the basket at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The men’s tourney gets underway at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The men’s tourney gets underway at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Dogs and their humans watch the Hoopla games on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Players at Hoopla on July 29, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Players moved fast to make baskets at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Players at Hoopla were in it to win it at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)All abilities were welcome to play in the games at Hoopla on July 29, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Some expert defense was called for at this game during Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Players had to think fast about strategy on the court at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Players had to keep their defenses strong on the court during Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Players had to keep their defenses strong on the court during Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A coach gives his players instructions during a time out at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Players at Hoopla were in it to win it at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Even the most intensely played game ended with a high five line up afterwards at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A player concentrates on making the basket at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Younger children could play in tourneys this year at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A player concentrates intensely on their court moves at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A player concentrates intensely on their court moves at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A player concentrates intensely on their court moves at Hoopla on July 29, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
