Can basketball and art intersect? The answer is yes, and it even has a specific name: Nine in the Paint.
Nine in the Paint is the artistic project of Francesca Cassani, a young woman from Milan, a former IED student, and a basketball player. As stated on the official website, the goal is to give identity to anonymous spaces or simply enrich common objects with creativity and originality, creating opportunities for people to come together during social, sporting, and cultural events.
A Passion for Playgrounds
After beginning her journey as an artist, in March 2023, Francesca completed her first renovated court on Viale Stelvio, created for Slum Dunk, the nonprofit founded by basketball players Bruno Cerella and Tommaso Marino. Since then, from Seregno to Busto Arsizio, from Varese to Legnano, playgrounds have become the preferred canvas for Nine in the Paint’s art.
The Latest Renovated Court
It seems the desire to bring a fresh wave of color to urban playgrounds continues unabated. Just yesterday, Tuesday, September 17th, a new court was inaugurated in Milan, on Via Soderini. The sponsor of this latest artwork is Simmenthal, an Italian company with a long history tied to basketball. Older fans will surely remember when today’s Olimpia Milano was known as Simmenthal Milano.
For this renovation, Nine in the Paint chose geometric shapes and vibrant colors, blending them perfectly with the brand’s logos and colors. So, as of yesterday, Milan has a new place where art will set the stage for layups, three-pointers, and slam dunks.
