This piece is an attempt to bring people into the psyche of the average boy or girl that live in the “hood”. As ironic as it sounds, the duality of hope and despair are a huge part of the collective consciousness in impoverished communities across the world. The volatile mix of resources and opportunity being absent create an intense desire to be uprooted. The modern version of the American dream comes in the form of athletes and entertainers. Athletes specifically provide such a direct link to the unattainable aspects of life that children of despair seem to crave. Lack of resources require a distraction or it will typically amount to negativity. Sports provide that immediate distraction from the reality of being in poverty for many young people across the globe. Basketball specifically is basically the cheapest sport and the only one you can full on play by yourself which are perfect for poor kids. Youth grow up with the intentions of becoming a professional athlete to change the social and economic status of their family. Conceptually this sculpture is demonstrative of having aspirations to acquire a luxury lifestyle. Hoop Dream$ visits the concepts of pain, will and love but is fundamentally a metaphor for having a shot at hope.