Jordan Brand is back with the return of the World Basketball Tournament “The One”: a top-level competition featuring the new generation of elite one-on-one basketball players.
The second edition of the tournament kicks off this month, beginning with the UK qualifiers in London, where boys and girls will go head-to-head on May 24 as part of the Hoopsfix All Star Classic weekend. Regional qualifiers will then be held around the world, from Beijing to Los Angeles, Manila to London. The final will be streamed live from New York in August, to showcase the incredible talent and fierce competition among the top athletes.
The winners of the male and female categories, open to players aged 15 to 18, will earn the coveted title of “The One” and join Jordan Brand as ambassadors.
“The tournament provides a platform for young athletes from around the world to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level,” says Sarah Mensah, president of Jordan Brand. “This event embodies the spirit of competition and excellence of Jordan Brand, and we look forward to seeing the incredible performances of these talented hoopers as they pursue greatness.”
Finals in New York
After qualifying rounds in more than 15 cities around the world – including Belgrade, Chicago, Hong Kong, Ljubljana, Paris and Tokyo – 20 athletes will travel to New York in August to compete against the best. The top scorers from the initial rounds in New York will advance to the knockout stage to compete for a place in the final, where the male and female winners will be crowned.
After the final, Jordan Brand will host a one-on-one DJ battle with talent from around the world, concluding a celebration of authentic basketball culture in the city where it all began.
The format of this tournament dates back to the origins of Jumpman, the product of Michael Jordan‘s legendary one-on-one battles against his brother Larry. Thanks to his relentless pursuit of victory, despite the confrontations that often ended in defeat, he created a legacy of greatness that changed basketball forever.
Just as the origin story of Jordan Brand is rooted in a defiant confidence mindset, The One is designed to show who’s next – and inspire the next generation to take their turn.
Less than a year ago, Jordan Brand took Paris with the original tournament, offering athletes the opportunity to pursue greatness in an unmistakable competition. The 2024 final, which featured 20 basketball players from around the world, was held at District 23, an unprecedented Jordan Brand project to turn Paris’ 18th arrondissement into a global sporting and cultural hub.
Tatianna Griffin from Los Angeles and Steve Bah from Paris emerged victorious and claimed the prestigious title of The One, with performances that set the bar very high for this year’s tournament participants.
“The journey to The One was an incredible experience,” says Griffin. “The experiences I’ve had since winning the crown in Paris can only surpass it. Representing the Jumpman is the ultimate symbol of greatness.”
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