New York, NY, WPH Press, 7/20/25
The St. Albans Handball Association presented the 2025 King of the Courts at Joseph Austin Playground (Edison Park) in Jamaica, NY, featuring Tavo Ruiz, Timbo Gonzalez, Tywan Cook, David Velez, Carlin Rosa, Kadeem Bush, Pee Wee Castro, Miguel Mendez, and the rest of the world’s best men’s big ball 1-Wall singles players at one of the summer’s premiere events.
Seeking his second King of the Courts title and to defend his 2024 King of the Courts title, DigiFlex’s Tavo Ruiz was dominant on his way to the final, dominating all of his opponents, including a semifinal route of Dboy David Castro.
A resurgent Kadeem Bush returned to peak form after several years away from the game, advancing to the semifinal to face Tywan Cook. Kadeem maintained his composure against one of 1-Wall’s all-time greats, dropping Cook to meet Tavo in the final.
Tavo started the final with three consecutive points in his first inning, threatening to run away from Kadeem early. Kadeem answered with several spectacular kills, including a spike kill in the right corner to trail by just one at 6-7. Tavo took control of the match from there, giving Kadeem virtually no opportunity to score points with his trademark left whip cross court kills and drives, his masterful control of the front court, and his astounding agility.
Serving for the match and the most coveted prize in New York City handball at 24-7, Tavo appeared to be overwhelmed by the moment, calling a timeout. Tavo had a chance to end the match with a routine right-hand kill from the short line but left the attempt up, allowing Kadeem to strike the re kill and take the serve. Kadeem ran six consecutive points with serve and first-strike handball, cutting the seemingly insurmountable deficit to 13-24. Kadeem was unable to maintain his torrid pace, ending the match with consecutive errors and recrowning Tavo as 1-Wall’s King.
“It’s been an absolute gauntlet of a bracket, so many amazing matches and so many upsets,” stated TensFinest, who broadcast all of the 2025 King of the Courts action, accruing more total views than any live stream in its history. Huge shout out to SAHA – (St. Alban’s Handball) Larry, Dwight, Gladus, Anthony, as well as Carlos Centeno, NYC Handball 4K, and all of the refs. Thank you to all of the viewers for the 20,000 subscribers. This was the best live stream we have ever had.”
Semifinals
Tavo Ruiz def DBoy Castro 21-4
Kadeem Bush def Tywan Cook 21-13
Final: Tavo def Kadeem 25-13
Thank you to Jared Vale and ValeU Group for serving as one of the 2025 King of the Courts major sponsors.
Follow the 2025 King of the Courts draw HERE
Watch the 2025 King of the Courts, courtesy of TensFinest HERE
2025 King of the Courts pictures courtesy of Jared Vale
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer