Quai 54 World Streetball Championship: Thousands attend as teams from all over the world flock to Paris for showcase

French team La Releve Yard win 12th edition of the tournament

Tom Sheen
Tuesday 16 June 2015 15:45 BST
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(Getty Images)

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Thousands of people from around the world flocked to Paris at the weekend to see some of the best street basketball players in the world compete in the Quai 54.

Now in its 12th year, people queued outside the temporary court on the scenic Place de la Concorde from as early as 4am to see the World Street Basketball Championships take place.

Teams from France, the US, UK, Europe, Africa and China all arrived in the French capital for the tournament hosted by Nike, Jordan Brand and Foot Locker.

La Releve Yard celebrate their title
La Releve Yard celebrate their title (Getty Images)

After two days of tough competition in sweltering hit, an all-French finale saw La Releve Yard beat Fusion Team to win the prestigious title.

The tournament also included live performances from French hip hop artists, while the ever-popular dunk contest, hosted by House of Hoops by Foot Locker and judged by French basketball star Evan Fournier, was won by high-flying Pole Rafael Lipinski for the second year in a row.

Competitors in the tournament were fitted out with special edition Quai 54 Air Jordan XX9 and the Nike LEBRON Soldier 9.

The special edition trainers
The special edition trainers (Nike)

The weekend also saw basketball legend Michael Jordan unveil his brand new 30th anniversary shoe, the MTM, and Jordan Brand open a brand new Legacy court in the 20th arrondissement.

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