For the last three years, Chicago has set aside a weekend to become “hoops heaven” for basketball players all across the country.

The third annual Chicago Bulls three-on-three Classic was held Aug. 2-4 in Grant Park with over 14,000 participants and 2,500 teams competing in their respective divisions.

The competitiveness was clearly evident to this reporter from the moment of arrival, as close ball-games produced greater intensity which resulted in plenty of cheap shots and fights. Ah, street ball at its finest.

Adding injury to insult were the many holes and cracks in the streets that resulted in numerous ankle and knee injuries. No pain, no gain.

One highlight of the weekend included visits by several members of the world champion Chicago Bulls, including Horace Grant and Craig Hodges.

Other highlights included several slam-dunk competitions (where this reporter excelled … on a 9-foot rim), three-point shoot-outs, plenty of food and live music.

This reporter’s participation included an overnight stay at the Hyatt Regency on the lakefront, a Friday night expedition to Division St., numerous bumps and bruises, three “hack-fests,” and advancing to the final four in a 16-team division.

In a tournament where players call their own fouls, the street curb is out-of-bounds, and drawing blood is a requirement, the results were sweet.

It was a chance for supremely gifted athletes as well as the “average” person on the street to showcase their talents.

But, more than anything, it was a weekend to become a kid again, where one could pick up a basketball at dawn and not set it down until dusk. It was a chance to relive the intensely competitive games that took place in the driveway or neighborhood playgrounds.

It was “hoops heaven” and when it returns to Chicago next summer, this reporter will happily return as well.