Pick-up basketball in the Des Moines area?

BryceC · 07-02-2007, 10:47 AM

The only thing I really miss about college is being able to go to the Rec any night of the week and get in a pickup game pretty quickly. Is there any place in Des Moines that has a lot of basketball going on every night or at least a couple days a week? I've heard Seven Flags or something has good games. I just need to start working out again some way, and I just am never going to be a runner or a weightlifter.

johnsonjj · 07-02-2007, 10:59 AM

I have been out of Des Moines for a couple of years, but I used to play at Aspen out on Hickman. They have a men's league. B-ball some evenings and another smaller group plays over some noon hours.

brianhos · 07-02-2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by johnsonjj

I have been out of Des Moines for a couple of years, but I used to play at Aspen out on Hickman. They have a men's league. B-ball some evenings and another smaller group plays over some noon hours.

There are at least 2 games going on every day at noon.

jparker22 · 07-02-2007, 11:08 AM

Do you have to join to play b-ball there or do they have a daily rate for the gym? I wouldn't mind playing some noon ball again.

We have a morning game in Ames, good group of guys, If you want to play you have to commit to being there so that we always have a game. We start at 6 AM and run till 7:30. We have lost a few players to injury and old age so if anyone is interested PM me.

travman23 · 07-02-2007, 11:25 AM

Yeah I'm not into the weightlifting and running so I don't really want to pay for just playing basketball whenever I want to. The YMCA I know has pickup games all the time but that is a membership place too and I think like a daily rate is around $12? You can get a whole month there for like $40 I think.

cybsball20 · 07-02-2007, 11:29 AM

I would love to find some good outdoor pickup games... That is one thing I miss about growing up in Gaineville... There was always pickup games going on at the city park and it wasn't unuasual for guys like Erict Rhett, Andrew DeClerq, Dimitri Hill, Shane Matthews to come play some ball...

BryceC · 07-02-2007, 11:35 AM

Travman23: The downtown YMCA you mean? Just curious, I've been to other Y's in the area and there isn't much going on for pickup games.

CyTom · 07-02-2007, 11:52 AM

7Flags has pick up games on Mondays and Wednesdays 5:15-7:00 for sure...sometimes on Tuesday. I've heard they have games over lunch as well, but I work too far away to find out.

brianhos · 07-02-2007, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

Travman23: The downtown YMCA you mean? Just curious, I've been to other Y's in the area and there isn't much going on for pickup games.

Walnut creek always had pickup games going on at noon. But by the guys I saw there, you gotta be pretty good to play there. Lots of ex college guys and the best HS guys in dsm there.

ISUFan22 · 07-02-2007, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by CyTom

7Flags has pick up games on Mondays and Wednesdays 5:15-7:00 for sure...sometimes on Tuesday. I've heard they have games over lunch as well, but I work too far away to find out.

Yup...and a good number of people on Mon. and Wed. too. We're canceling or membership though - put a home gym together. Just don't have a basketball court.

Would be nice to find a once per week pick-up game or summer league.

cyQlone · 07-05-2007, 03:31 PM

So what your saying is I've either gotta play at noon, in the morning, or have an expensive membership somewhere to play some pick up basketball... this sucks.

psycln11 · 07-05-2007, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by BryceC

Travman23: The downtown YMCA you mean? Just curious, I've been to other Y's in the area and there isn't much going on for pickup games.

Ankeny's YMCA has (or has had) pick-up games on Wednesday's from 7:00-9:00 PM and Sunday's from 5:00-7:00 PM. I stopped playing there several years ago. Too many cocky DMACC kids for my blood.

I found a group of guys that rents one of the Middle School gyms in Ankeny. We play every Wednesday from 8:00-10:00 PM.

brianhos · 07-05-2007, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by cyQlone

So what your saying is I've either gotta play at noon, in the morning, or have an expensive membership somewhere to play some pick up basketball... this sucks.

Welcome to life as a non student. I hear we have to pay more for football tickets now too!

cyQlone · 07-05-2007, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by psycln11

Ankeny's YMCA has (or has had) pick-up games on Wednesday's from 7:00-9:00 PM and Sunday's from 5:00-7:00 PM. I stopped playing there several years ago. Too many cocky DMACC kids for my blood.

I found a group of guys that rents one of the Middle School gyms in Ankeny. We play every Wednesday from 8:00-10:00 PM.

Do you have enough for 5 on 5 or are you looking for a few more. I wouldn't mind playing on Wednesdays if you need a few more.

vanillathrilla · 07-05-2007, 06:14 PM

Des Moines sucks for basketball. I've searched for 6 months for pickup games and theres nothing. At Aspen, you have to join the league and the gym, 7 flags has a couple each week, but the court sucks and there are no parks that have games.

I joined Aspen bc I was told you can always get a pickup game, but got 1 game in 2 months; big WASTE of money joining that place!!! Cancelled my membership after the 2 months.