BEIJING, China (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - The fans have spoken and voted for Son of Dreams to be the Official Mascot of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

This was made official on Wednesday - 500 days before the first-ever 32-team edition of FIBA's flagship competition tips off on August 31, 2019 - when Son of Dreams was unveiled during a ceremony at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium in China's capital of Beijing.

Son of Dreams was brought to life for the first time, by way of a hologram and video.

Born in China on August 8, 2015, Son of Dreams' magical horns give him the power to see in the future, envisioning plays and moves before they actually happen. Click here to find out more about Son of Dreams.

Distinguished guests present at Wednesday's milestone event on the Road to China 2019 included: Li Yingchuan, China's Vice Minister of Sports; Zhang Jiandong, Beijing's Vice Mayor; Hamane Niang, FIBA Vice-President and FIBA Africa President; Yao Ming, FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Ambassador and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) President.

Mr Zhang presented a prize to Yan Xu, the person behind the design of Son of Dreams.

The selection of Son of Dreams as China 2019's Official Mascot was the culmination of a unique process by FIBA. Designers and professional agencies right across the globe were invited to submit their design proposals. After these came through in their hundreds, the number was narrowed down to 10.

On January 23, a panel consisting of FIBA, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and professors from the Chinese Central Academy of Fine Art selected Son of Dreams, QiuQiu and Speed Tiger as the finalists during a Mascot Shortlist Ceremony held at the Wanda Han Show Theater in Wuhan, China. Thereafter, fans were invited to vote for their favorite out of the three. Voting took place all over the world, with 93 percent of votes coming from China. 

Mr Li said: "I believe the mascot will spread the idea of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and the spirit of basketball to the rest of the world with its cute and vivid image and will play an important role in enhancing the influence of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019."

Mr Niang said: "I wish to thank the Local Organizing Committee for hosting this special event commemorating 500 days to the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup on August 31, 2019. Our thanks also go out to Yan Xu, the person responsible for the winning design, all other designers who submitted proposals as well as the experts from the evaluation commission. We have all worked together to find the best possible mascot. In Son of Dreams, we are confident we have found a great friend and representative to accompany all fans on the Road to China 2019."

Fans will have the opportunity to see Son of Dreams in the flesh for the first time on June 28 in Shenzhen.

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