MIES (Switzerland) - Discover the three outstanding winners of the 2025 FIBA Photo Contest.
From September 21 to November 21, photographers from all around the world, amateurs and professionals, were invited to take part in the 9th edition of the FIBA Photo Contest.
The purpose of this annual contest is to showcase how basketball is more than a game. It is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and backgrounds, and has the unique power to unite individuals by breaking down social, geographical, and linguistic barriers.
The theme of this year was Dream Team, a call to photographers worldwide to capture the heartbeat of unity on the court. Celebrating all those moments and instances, such as the huddles, the celebrations, and the bench laughter, that connect the players, elevate their relationship, and turn them into a Dream Team.
This inspiring topic resulted in the submission of nearly 1,000 photos from almost 100 countries, reflecting how universal the game is.
From this significant number of shots, our jury panel, composed of world-class photographers, professional basketball players and personalities, carefully selected three winners:
THE FINAL DANCE - SEAN RUSSELL (USA)
Sean Russell is a New York-based photographer specializing in sports and documentary storytelling. Coming from an athletic background, his work is driven by a deep understanding of competition, discipline, and the emotional weight of performance.
His shot, The Final Dance, represents the culmination of a long, collective journey rather than a single moment of victory. This image captures Team Tri-State in the instant after securing the first championship in the program’s history, when structure falls away, and raw emotion takes over.
LIFTED BY VICTORY - ZAHRA ABASI (IRI)
Zahra Abasi is a professional photographer with 10 years of experience in sports photography. She collaborated with FIBA and the Iranian Basketball Federation. Zahra is recognized for her expertise in sports photography, particularly for basketball.
Amid a wave of raised hands and roaring voices, this photograph shows a champion lifted on shoulders becoming the true embodiment of a Dream Team. This moment is more than a celebration of victory; it is an eruption of unity, belief, and passion that erases the line between player and fan. Here, basketball rises beyond a game and turns into the shared heartbeat of an entire city.
BEFORE THE LIGHT FADES - NATHANIEL CARAMPATANA (PHI)
Nathaniel E. Carampatana is a photographer from Negros Oriental, Philippines, inspired by simple moments that often go unnoticed. He captures scenes from the streets, nature, and local festivals, using color and light to tell stories of everyday life.
"The boys pushed through one last game at sunset, playing on makeshift hoops and deflated balls, driven purely by the joy of the game. Watching them, I felt inspired by how passion and teamwork can grow even in the simplest conditions, quietly shaping a future team without them even noticing," said Nathaniel.
These photos were selected by the jury members based on different factors such as the composition of the shot, the authenticity, or the respect for the theme.
As part of this year’s partnership with SLAM Magazine for the FIBA Photo Contest, the three front-runners will be featured in SLAM Magazine Issue #260, scheduled for February, and will receive photography equipment.
In addition, the grand winner will be invited to the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Switzerland and headline the annual FIBA Photo Book featuring the 100 top photos.
A big thank you to all participants for sharing your stories through the lens!
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About the FIBA Foundation
The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
FIBA’s cultural heritage is the heart of the FIBA Foundation’s cultural and historical activities. It is one of the driving forces behind the promotion and dissemination of FIBA’s values.