The most famous streetball competition in the world, the QUAI 54, was back for its 16th edition last weekend (July 17 and 18, 2021) in Paris. After a presentation made a few days before the event (article available HERE), it’s time for a review.
Fans of basketball and urban culture were happy to meet in the magical setting of the Trocadero Gardens for the 16th edition of QUAI 54. Punctuated by basketball games, concerts of popular artists and catchy animations, these 2 days were intense, festive and unforgettable. The event gathered more than 1300 people, in the respect of the sanitary rules in force.
This 2021 edition inaugurated the launch of the women’s basketball teams tournament.
The girls have delivered performances that have bluffed more than one ! The kick-off of the first ever women’s final of the QUAI 54 was given by a woman symbol of power, feminism and fight for equality and justice: Assa Traoré. The victors were the players of the Spanish team El Palo, who dominated the German team Der Stamm. Among the Germans, we could see the professional Marie Gülich, champion of the EuroCup Women with the Valencia Basket Club. The first woman MVP in the history of the QUAI 54 is the Spanish Laia Flores, who is part of the winning team.
In the men’s competition, the team Le Cartel created the surprise by beating the favorites and most successful in the history of the QUAI 54, La Fusion. A nice revenge after a defeat in the final against this same team in the previous edition. It must be said that Le Cartel had in its ranks a French international player and pivot of Monaco : Mathias Lessort. The latter was also named MVP of the 2021 tournament.
Continuing on the sporting side, the famous Dunk Contest of the QUAI 54 was orchestrated by the legendary Kadour Ziani aka The Dunk Father. A show that the public is looking forward to and that highlighted 4 of the best dunkers in the world : the Americans Tony Crosby II, Jordan Southerland and Jonathan Clark, as well as the Puerto Rican Isaiah Rivera. The impressive basketball player of only 1m70, Tony Crosby II, was crowned winner.
QUAI 54 is also about urban music. Popular artists such as Gazo, Koba la D, Leto or SDM came to set the stage on fire. The atmosphere was also ensured throughout the weekend by the DJ’s of the event : Lord Issa, Just Dizle, DJ Jacks, DJ Pee, Ou-Mar, DJ Nasty Nas and DJ Iso.
Other personalities of the music, but also of the sport and the entertainment attended this 16th edition of the QUAI 54. We could meet the singer/rapper Vegedream, Fally Ipupa, Joé Dwet Filé, Bosh, Kanis and James BKS. NBA icons Serge Ibaka and Ronny Turiaf, as well as footballer Layvin Kurzawa. Comedian Thomas N’Gijol, director Ladj Ly, comedians Marvin Anthony, Just Riadh, Moussa Mansaly, Karole Rocher and Miss France 2017 Alicia Aylies.
Present in 2014 and 2019, the American NBA basketball player triple Olympic champion, global ambassador of the program « Jordan Wings » and fashion connoisseur, Carmelo Anthony participated in the QUAI 54 2021 through a large screen. He expressed his support for the students of Casa 93, who presented their final project during the event, under the guidance of their mentor Thibaut de Longeville. The latter is co-founder and artistic director of the tournament, as well as co-creator of the Jordan Brand x Quai 54 collection (details of which can be found in an article on this site).
This 16th edition of QUAI 54 was a chance to reconnect with « life before COVID ». We mean before the health crisis that plunged the whole world in a state of restrictions often difficult to live. This event delighted basketball and urban culture fans, who are now looking forward to the 17th edition next year !
