League: NBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Injuries

81-year-old Richie Zweigenhaft shares joy of pickup basketball

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 30, 2026, 9:16 AM

Last updated Jul 30, 2026

81-year-old Richie Zweigenhaft shares joy of pickup basketball

Summary

Richie Zweigenhaft, a professor emeritus at Guilford College, has organized a weekly pickup basketball game for over 51 years. The game, featuring players mostly in their 60s and 70s, has adapted to its participants, now often referred to as ‘Geezer ball’ as they shift to halfcourt play. Zweigenhaft, inspired by NBA legends like Muggsy Bogues and John Stockton, values the camaraderie and mental health benefits of the game. At 81, he reflects on the fortune of still competing, despite physical limitations affecting his gameplay.

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Status Watch

•Zweigenhaft plays basketball weekly at Guilford College.
•He has organized games continuously since 1975.
•The average age of players is around 64.
•Game shifts to halfcourt as players slow down.
•Zweigenhaft highlights friendship over competition.

Latest Updates

9:16 AMYahoo Sports — The secret to happiness is playing pickup basketball. Just ask this 81-year-old

What they're saying

"
This story is part of Peak, The Athletic’s desk covering the mental side of sports. Sign up for Peak’s newsletter here. Richie Zweigenhaft plays pickup basketball once a week, and when people ask him to describe his game, he usually lands on three names: Muggsy Bogues, John Stockton and Dave Twardzik. Zweigenhaft stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, so he found inspiration in Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history. He also loves to share the ball, which explains his admiration for Stockton, the NBA’
— Yahoo Sports

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Yahoo SportsJul 30, 2026, 9:16 AM
The secret to happiness is playing pickup basketball. Just ask this 81-year-old
This story is part of Peak, The Athletic’s desk covering the mental side of sports. Sign up for Peak’s newsletter here. Richie Zweigenhaft plays pickup basketball once a week, and when people ask him to describe his game, he usually lands on three names: Muggsy Bogues, John Stockton and Dave Twardzik. Zweigenhaft stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, so he found inspiration in Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history. He also loves to share the ball, which explains his admiration for Stockton, the NBA’

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