Relive the FIBA Open 2018
A friendly atmosphere, impressive skills and basketball stars were present all week-end at the House of Basketball in Mies for the 4th edition of the FIBA Open.
A record number of 170 teams played on 8 different courts set up for the occasion and the finals were played on the central court, which was covered by a canopy with hundreds of cheering fans.
The team ‘Les Antisociales’ made it all the way to the finals in the U18 category "We really loved the tournament, it was incredible. The atmosphere and everything was perfect".
For the first time a family category was part of the event with the aim of allowing everyone to play together regardless of age or sex. This category was appreciated by all, also allowing players of adapted basketball to be an integral part of the tournament.
One of the highlights of the week-end were the different contests where some impressive skills were shown. The skills challenge was animated by none other than FIBA Open ambassador and FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup Skills Contest Champion Dahlia Miranda Monteiro.
The shooting contest was renamed the ‘Fabrice Rey Shooting Challenge’ in memory of the aforementioned basketball lover who played a significant part in the inaugural FIBA Open and who is dearly missed by the basketball community. The women outshone all other categories as Haben Tsegai and Alyson Perriard won the challenge on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The dunk contest was definitely a crowd pleaser with three contestants battling it out. In the end a renowned jury gave the win to Thomas Jurkowitz.
Refugees from the surrounding regions were invited to take part in the event. 5 teams were created for the occasion and competed in the tournament. Most players only discovered basketball recently and the FIBA Open has given some the motivation to find clubs and keep on playing.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was present throughout the weekend as part of their #WithRefugees World Tour and to raise awareness to the plight of refugees. Participants could show their solidarity by signing the #With refugees petition.
Participants present on Saturday also had the chance to see international and NBA stars Yao Ming and Andrei Kirilenko.
