Jordan Brand is running it back, announcing the return of The One global basketball tournament: a premier competition that showcases the next generation of elite one-on-one basketball players vying to be crowned The One.
Regional qualifiers will take place around the world — from Beijing to Los Angeles, Manila to London. New York will stream the finals live in August, showcasing the incredible talent and fierce competition among the top athletes.
The Manila qualifier takes place June 28 at the Jordan Manila Flight Deck in BGC, Taguig City, where 12 boys and 12 girls coming from different cities and provinces in the Philippines will compete for the right to represent the Philippines in the global basketball title. The competition will feature UAAP and NCAA junior players and conclude with one-on-one DJ battles from the local music and club scene community.
Winners from the boys’ and girls’ brackets, open to hoopers ages 15 to 18, will earn the coveted title of The One and join Jordan Brand as ambassadors.
“The One 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, Jordan Brand. “This event embodies Jordan Brand’s spirit of competition and excellence, and we look forward to seeing the incredible performances from these talented hoopers as they chase greatness.”
After qualifying rounds in more than 15 cities throughout the world — including Belgrade, Chicago, Hong Kong, Ljubljana, Paris, and Tokyo — 20 athletes will travel to New York in August to test themselves against the best of the best. Knockout play will follow the initial New York play-in rounds, with the winners advancing to the finals, where we will crown male and female champions.
Following the finals, Jordan Brand will host a one-on-one DJ battle with talent from across the globe, concluding a celebration of true basketball culture in the city where it all began.
The One tournament format harks back to the origins of the Jumpman, a product of Michael Jordan’s legendary one-on-one backyard battles against his brother Larry. It was through his unrelenting pursuit to win — despite matchups that often ended in defeat — that he went on to create a legacy of greatness that changed the game of basketball forever.
Just as Jordan Brand’s origin story is rooted in a mentality of defiant confidence, The One showcases who’s got next — and inspires the next generation to take their turn.
Less than a year ago, Jordan Brand took over Paris with the original tournament, offering athletes the chance to chase greatness in an unmistakable competition. The 2024 finals, featuring 20 hoopers from around the world, unfolded inside District 23, Jordan Brand’s unprecedented elevation of Paris’ diverse 18th arrondissement into a global sport and cultural hub.
Tatianna Griffin of Los Angeles and Steve Bah of Paris emerged victorious, earning the prestigious title of The One with performances that set the bar for those competing in this year’s tournament.
“The journey to The One was an incredible experience,” says Griffin. “It’s only topped by the experiences I’ve been blessed with since claiming the crown in Paris. To represent the Jumpman is the ultimate symbol of greatness.”
Follow @jumpman23 to learn more.
