Quai 54: “We were told that basketball would never be popular in France, that it was too niche.”

This weekend, Quai 54, considered one of the most prestigious streetball tournaments in the world, kicks off its twentieth edition. In its twenty-two years of existence, only two editions have been canceled due to unforeseen factors: the extension of the state of emergency in 2016 and the first lockdown in 2020. This year, the street basketball tournament will be held in the heart of the legendary Suzanne-Lenglen court at Roland-Garros Stadium. Over two days, 24 teams (16 men's and 8 women's), made up of professional and amateur players from around the world, will compete for the title of streetball world champion.

Launched in 2003 in Levallois-Perret by Hammadoun Sidibé and Thibaut de Longeville as a basketball tournament between friends, Quai 54 has come a long way. Over the seasons (at Troc