The NBA Finals, one of the most celebrated basketball moments every year, is undoubtedly in full swing. However, we have learned that another prestigious basketball happening will originate this summer. Today, Nike and USA Basketball have declared that they are planning the inaugural World Basketball Festival this summer.
This newly-developed event, which will be held in New York every two years, consist of five of the world’s best basketball teams and top musical performers uniting to honor the culture and performance of the second most popular sport in the world. The four-day celebration will take place from August 12th to August 15th and include scrimmages and musical performances from beginning to end. In detail, this cultural event will tip off with a intrasquad scrimmage between members of the USA Basketball team right in the middle of Times Square followed by a surprise musical act. Additionally, the celebration will end with four of the best teams in the world (including USA, Puerto Rico, Brazil, France) going head-to-head at Madison Square Garden.
The World Basketball Festival will include some of basketball’s leading brands within the Nike family such as Jordan Brand, Nike Basketball and Converse.
Specifically, Charlie Denson (Nike Brand President), Jerry Colangelo (USA Basketball Chairman), Kevin Durant (2010 NBA leading scorer), Yi Jianlian (Chinese professional basketball player that plays for the New Jersey Nets) and various designers from the aforementioned brands were on hand in New York to make this announcement.
What are your preliminary thoughts on the upcoming World Basketball Festival?
