New Edition's Michael Bivins Honored With Boston Basketball Court

Michael Bivins of New Edition returned to his Boston roots Thursday when the city dedicated a basketball court in the singer's name.

"I never thought I would of left the hood singing Candy Girl," Bivins said, back home in Roxbury.

Mayor Marty Walsh unveiled the sign at the newly-dedicated Michael Bivins Basketball Court.

It's the very court where he grew up playing.

"It feels special," he said.

Bivins may have went on to travel the world, but he knows where home is.

"I take my Boston swagger anywhere I go," Bivins said.

Besides making chart-topping hits, Bivins says he enjoys playing basketball. In fact, it was hanging out on that court that he says kept him off the streets growing up in Roxbury.

"When you're from the streets, you can go two different ways," Bivins said. "I knew friends going that way, and I wanted to go this way."

Dribbling and shooting hoops helped save his life before his music career. Now, Boston plans to invest $2 million into the court, hoping to give more kids a chance at success.

"I'm just a voice and advocate for the people," Bivins said.

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