Updated July 29th, 2024: Tatianna Griffin (USA, 14) and Steve Bah (France, 17) were officially crowned winners of “The One” tournament on July 26th. After a round of qualifiers that took place in the preceding weeks, 20 global players converged in France, working through respective brackets before Bah and Griffin (literally) took home the belt. As laid out in the initial tournaments specs, this earns the two teens one-year partnerships with Jordan highlighted by “roles in the upcoming Air Jordan 40 campaign.”
For the two athletes in question, the endorsement deal and bragging rights as the best 1v1 players in the world add to the achievement. For Jordan Brand, the culmination of this event in the heart of Paris only continues their Olympic-centric activations and a slew of product drops that capitalize on the world’s games. Catch a gallery of images from the tournament ahead, including performances by Tems & Fat Joe.
Jordan Brand and Nike, Inc. consistently place a spotlight on basketball talent far and wide. Be it Quai 54, EYBL or NY v. NY, their storytelling efforts towards “the love of the game” are matched by true effort to stoke it in the next generation. However, an unrepresented vertical in their tournament catalog is 1v1 play, a stepping stone for any burgeoning hooper as they hone their skills. Until now. Jordan Brand just announced “Our Turn,” a bracket with a full brand endorsement as its ultimate prize.
Qualifying rounds are currently ongoing in a host of international cities, from Tokyo to Shanghai to New York. The cream of the crop from these preliminary rounds, 20 players total, will take the stage inside the District 23 event space in Paris to play-in for the final bracket. While the glory of emerging from that international crowd is certainly bragging rights enough, Jordan brand will hand out a one-year endorsement deal to the one male and one female player who emerge on top, both dubbed “The One.”
Though 1v1 play is a major part of every hooper’s story, the Jumpman himself has cited his mano a mano bouts with brother Larry growing up as a forging ground for the legendary career that followed. He famously cited it in his Hall of Fame speech: “my brother Larry is an ideal situation where small things come in small packages, this dude fought me every single day,” the GOAT recalled. While Paris is a far more glamorous stage than a North Carolina driveway, the same fiery spirit will be on display at the end of July with hopes of reaching MJ’s same lofty heights.
The Our Turn Finals will be streamed on Twitch live from District 23, beginning July 26th. Catch some in-action shots from the qualifying rounds just ahead.
Jordan Brand has also debuted their latest spot. See the video below.