Adult Recess invites New Yorkers to rediscover PLAY, one of Rhone’s 12 Pursuits for living a more active, connected life.

NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rhone, an Official Lifestyle Apparel Partner of the NBA, is transforming Hudson Yards’ Public Square & Gardens, near the iconic Vessel, into an unexpected playground, inviting New Yorkers to play pick-up basketball games and engage in an afternoon of outdoor play. Adult Recess brings Rhone’s 12 Pursuits theme for October to life, PLAY, challenging the culture of constant optimization with a reminder: progress is about how you live.

The free activation will take place on Wednesday, October 14 from 10am-6pm EDT. With the NBA season tipping off on October 20, Adult Recess creates a natural intersection of basketball, movement and community, bringing the partnership to life in an unexpected way.

“Growing up with my Dad, the NBA might as well have been a sibling. My dad worked both for the league and with the league, so the game of basketball was central to our lives,” said Ben Checketts, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Rhone. “Over the years, Rhone has remained dedicated to bringing people together through fitness, sports and community efforts. This year we launched the 12 Pursuits, and the theme for October is PLAY. With the NBA season tipping off, there has never been a better time to celebrate the game we love. That is exactly what we are doing with Adult Recess, encouraging our community to take a break from the daily grind, and providing them with an opportunity to remember what it’s like to play, just for the love of the game. We’re excited to continue building on this relationship and creating experiences that bring our people together around the sports and pursuits they love.”

Hudson Yards will become the kind of place most adults remember from childhood but rarely encounter in the middle of a workday: a place to run around, compete, laugh, and make new friends without needing a reason.

“When we launched the 12 Pursuits, we wanted to create a framework that people could experience, not just read about,” said Bethany Evans, Chief Marketing Officer, Rhone. “There’s something powerful about bringing people together in real life to move, connect and experience a pursuit together. Our partnership with the NBA gives us an incredible opportunity to do just that, turning PLAY into something our community can experience firsthand. Grown-ups want to have fun too, and Adult Recess is an opportunity to do just that, embracing PLAY while bringing the 12 Pursuits off the page and into the real world in a way that feels unexpected, energizing and distinctly Rhone.”

Rhone’s relationship with the NBA is also expanding off the court. On October 8, Rhone launched an expanded NBA licensed assortment, including women’s apparel for the first time. The expanded collection brings NBA fandom into everyday life through Rhone’s signature approach to comfort and style, creating new ways for a broader community of fans to connect with the league.

The lunchtime takeover is designed to make play impossible to ignore. New Yorkers will be invited to join a series of free activities built around movement, friendly competition, nostalgia and unexpected moments.

The experience will feature:

• Pick-Up Basketball: Open games giving participants the chance to get back on the court and play alongside fellow New Yorkers.
• HORSE, Around The World and Shoot Around games: A nostalgic, low-barrier competition designed to get everyone involved, whether they consider themselves a basketball player or not.
• NBA Legend: Joakim Noah will join the action from 12pm-2pm EDT for photo opportunities, autograph signings, and to compete alongside participants.
• The Rhone Team: Ben Checketts and Dave Checketts (who previously held various executive level roles in the NBA) will bring their personalities and energy to the court.
• Hat Customization Station: Customize a complimentary Rhone hat with your favorite NBA team patch.
• The 12 Pursuits: Every participant will receive a QR code inviting them to discover 12P by Rhone and continue their pursuit of play long after recess ends.
• Giveaways and Music: Prizes, a live DJ and unexpected moments will keep the energy high throughout the experience.

The activation will also welcome a curated group of VIP press, influencers and Rhone Reserve members for an elevated experience.

But the ambition of Adult Recess extends beyond one afternoon in New York. For Rhone, the activation is a tangible introduction to the 12 Pursuits, a year-long framework for building a stronger, steadier version of yourself, one month at a time. It encompasses the different pursuits that make a life well lived and challenges the assumption that every hour needs to be optimized toward an outcome. Play is one of those pursuits.

About Rhone

Rhone is performance driven apparel made by and for those in the pursuit of progress. Founded in 2014 by brothers Nate and Ben Checketts, we exist to inspire, equip, and support individuals in their pursuit of progress, both physically and mentally. More than just apparel, Rhone is a mindset, championing the power of being a little better every day. With a relentless focus on performance, innovation, and style, our products are engineered to move with you, wherever the pursuit takes you. Rhone operates over 20 retail stores across the U.S., each serving as a hub for community, connection, and the Forever Forward mindset. Learn more at www.rhone.com.

About the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2025-26 season featured a record 135 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. The NBA’s digital assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. The NBA’s Tap to Watch provides seamless access to local, national and global live game telecasts via the NBA App, NBA.com, third-party digital platforms and NBA partner platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social impact platform, drives change on issues facing fans and communities in the areas of health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and sustainability.

For more information, please contact:
Clara Berkeley
c.berkeley@rhone.com 

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SOURCE Rhone Apparel Inc