Nigel Sylvester Is Bringing The Swish Back To The Streets With State Farm’s Red Nets

In cities across the U.S., thousands of basketball courts sit neglected, rims rusted, backboards cracked, and most noticeably, nets missing. To many, it’s a small detail. To professional BMX star Nigel Sylvester, it’s a symbol of how overlooked communities can feel. That’s why Sylvester has teamed up with State Farm for the new Red Nets initiative, a national effort to restore local courts, hang bright red nets, and reignite the pride that comes from having a clean, functional place to play. The State Farm Red Nets program addresses a startling truth that in cities like New York and Chicago, up to 90% of public hoops are missing nets. By installing vibrant red ones, the brand hopes to send a powerful message, that every community deserves care, visibility, and the joy of play. For Sylvester, the project perfectly aligns with his lifelong mission to give back through movement, mentorship, and community connection.

Sylvester spoke with The Blast about his partnership with State Farm, calling it a “no-brainer.” “Knowing that State Farm wants to invest in communities across the country through the game of basketball and shared spaces. It just made sense,” he told The Blast.

The BMX icon saw the initiative as a way to merge his passion for giving back with his love for sports culture. “Basketball courts are places where people from all walks of life come together. That’s something I care deeply about,” he said.

Through his foundation, Sylvester focuses on helping youth discover confidence and community through motivation, whether that’s on a bike, a court, or a field. “Basketball is all about movement,” he explained. “It’s mental health, it’s teamwork, it’s connection.”

The Red Nets project echoes that mission by emphasizing the power of active, shared spaces. “Our foundation and this initiative are really about the same thing, keeping kids moving, inspired, and engaged,” Sylvester said.

While a missing net might seem trivial, Sylvester says it’s a major part of what gives the game its soul. “There are so many inspiring moments tied to that sound, the ball swishing through the net. It’s a feeling,” he said. “Without it, you lose part of the culture.”

He describes basketball courts as “community hubs” that spark conversation, rivalry, friendship, and pride. To him, a complete hoop, rim, backboard, and net create the energy that keeps people coming back. “I’m a visual person,” he added. “Seeing the net connected to the rim makes the whole environment look complete. It just brings everything together.”

When Sylvester helped install the first Red Nets in Yonkers, the reaction was instant. “People driving by were honking, saying what’s up,” he recalled. “A couple of local guys even came over to play while we were still finishing up. We told them, ‘Give us a minute, and you’ll have a brand-new net to shoot on.’ An hour later, they were out there hooping.” Moments like that, Sylvester says, are what make the initiative so powerful. “Just that little bit of attention can make people feel seen. It brings back the pride in their space.”

As the program expands across the country, with influencers in multiple cities set to hang nets in their own neighborhoods, Sylvester hopes the red color becomes an instantly recognizable symbol of care and community.

More than anything, Sylvester wants young people to see those Red Nets as proof that someone cares. “The first thing I want kids to know is that we care, State Farm cares, I care, about their spaces,” he said. “When a court is looked after, it becomes a place where so many great things can happen.”

He hopes the initiative motivates kids to stay active, dream bigger, and believe in the power of showing up. “I built my career on passion and movement,” Sylvester told The Blast. “If these Red Nets inspire even one kid to chase what they love with that same energy, it’s all worth it.”

For those wanting to make a difference, Sylvester says it starts small, just like a net. Community members can sign up online to receive free Red Nets for local courts. “As long as they check with local authorities before installing, they’re good to go,” he said.

And while he can’t share details just yet, Sylvester hinted that more projects are coming. “I’m a big fan of the element of surprise,” he teased. “Let’s just say this partnership inspired me to think even bigger.”