The city of Debrecen awarded for hosting three consecutive FIBA Youth World Cups

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - FIBA and FIBA Foundation came together to donate the “Flow Basket” sculpture to recognize the contributions and efforts of the city of Debrecen and the Hungarian Basketball Federation for hosting three FIBA Youth Basketball World Cups.

Debrecen became the first city ever to host three consecutive FIBA Youth Basketball World Cups. The first competition was the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2021. The second was the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022. The third is the most recently concluded FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023.

This unveiling of the “Flow Basket” sculpture took place on Saturday, July 1 and was graced by the presence of several figures from the basketball world. Among them was FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, accompanied by FIBA Vice President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, as well as FIBA Central Board Members Jean Michel Ramaroson and Dirk Nowitzki, also Chair of the Player's Commission. Báder Márton, the President of the Hungarian Basketball Federation, was also present alongside István Becsky, the Head of the Local Organising Committee and Board member of the Hungarian Basketball Federation.

 “The inauguration of the "Flow Basket" sculpture is part of our continuous quest of promoting Cultural Heritage within the FIBA ecosystem. It also showcases how our beautiful sport goes beyond solely what we see on the court, and in this case, it connects us with art,” expressed FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis.

The artwork was created by talented sculptor Andrés Lasanta. Constructed in corten steel, it captivates with its elegant simplicity, an open palm cradling a hollow ball. In spite of the simplicity of its elements, it reveals a transformative effect when viewed from various angles. The interplay of shadows with the changing sunlight adds enchantment to its overall appeal.

Lasanta is a distinguished artist with a long-standing collaboration with FIBA. He has been actively involved in numerous projects since the 1990s including the 3 busts representing the three former Secretary Generals, William Jones, Borislav Stankovic, and Patrick Baumann, at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.

***

The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.

The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.

FIBA