Jordan Brand’s THE ONE Tournament is back

The One is Back.

Nope, I’m not talking about the ring, but essentially, elite ballers from all over the globe are set to compete to be crowned The One. While the 2024 Paris Olympics were happening, Jordan Brand set up District 23, featuring 20 one-on-one players to compete for the throne.

The One is back again in 2025, with qualifiers happening as early as next week and the Finals set in New York in August. As mentioned, the Manila qualifier is set to take place on Saturday, June 28, at the Jordan Manila Flight Deck in BGC. 12 boys and girls from different cities and provinces will compete for the right to represent the Philippines for this global tournament. UAAP and NCAA junior players are expected to participate, while one-on-one DJ battles will also happen during the event.

“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.”

Once the qualifiers are done, these athletes will travel to New York in August, engaging in a knockout tournament to earn a spot in the Finals. 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 traces its origins of MJ’s one-on-one backyard battles against his brother Larry. While Michael didn’t win all those games, that drove his competitive nature to become better, and that led to his legendary career and legacy of greatness.

The One aims to replicate that very nature and inspire the next generation to take their turn. Last year’s winners – Tatianna Griffin of Los Angeles and Steve Bah of Paris – earned the title of The One, showcasing their skill and talent. Their performance set the bar for those competing this year. “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.”