For the X-Men teams, basketball is more than just a sport. It’s a group where teammates become family and the court becomes a home.

It’s especially important to the kids, as COVID-19 put a damper on their season in 2020.

“For the past year kids and parents have been cooped up in the house,” said Aliem Shabazz, the founder of X-Men Basketball.

The X-Men youth program for kids 8-17 was started a decade ago by Shabazz. He says it’s especially important that these kids have an outlet, as Albany is seeing a rise in violence.

“We’re able to give them a positive structure, a positive platform, [so] they won’t resort to violence. They won’t have to time to be in a violent situation,” he added.

But Lincoln Park, the place they called home for 10 years, is now fenced off. They are unable to practice or play on the courts, as the hoops are down and the blacktop is ripped up. Instead, the group has to practice on the other side of town at Hackett Park.

Shabazz says it’s tough to see their X-Men home now turned to rubble.

“I painted these courts when they looked terrible. I painted the fences so it could look like a home to these kids. With this grass looking like this and the courts being down, it really brings tears to my eyes,” he said.

The city of Albany decided to renovate the park, with money allocated in the 2021 budget proposal. However, those renovation plans became highly debated with local community groups, like A Block at a Time.

The city was criticized by local community groups for its original plans, which included cutting down nearly all the trees in the park. The non-profit’s founder, Dannielle Hille, said originally, the new park plans were made without any input from the team, or from the people who lived there.

“These communities have been underserved and ignored for a very long time, and while it’s great to do improvement, part of that improvement is improving communication with the community,” said Hille.

But after nearly a two-week exchange, and a vote from the community, a new proposed plan included lighting and seating for the basketball courts, as well as new planted trees. The concept also playground area further from the road, making it safer for young kids.

Hille says it was worth the fight.

“It gives the community the say for what we get in the rest of the park,” she explained, mentioning the other renovations proposed throughout the rest of the park.

The renovations are underway, looking to give the basketball players new courts.

“We’re trying to do something better and beautify our community; let’s do it,” said Shabazz.

And more importantly, it’ll eventually be a safe place to call home for the X-Men.

“Everyone’s always saying we’re doing good, we’re doing well. But I think there’s always more that can be done,” said Shabazz.

The group is hopeful they will be on their new courts by the middle to end of the summer.