FX ROUGEOT - PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
FX ROUGEOT
A native of Rouen, Normandy, Fx Rougeot, 34, is a photo-reporter, focusing particularly on sport and music.
Since starting journalism in Rouen in 2002, he has worked for newspapers and magazines in Réunion, Canada, Luxembourg and Guadeloupe. Passionate about basketball, he also writes for the specialized basketball magazine Reverse.
In January 2014, motivated by the desire to show the "anonymous basketballers" that he had been meeting for several years on the playgrounds of the world (Japan, Cape Verde, Senegal, Philippines, Caribbean ...) and share his shots of the most surprising courts, he created the website United Ballers.
Through photographic reports and stories, the website shares the passion of players, their journey, their daily lives, and their dreams. What does basketball mean to them? Who gave birth to this desire to play? Through each portrait and interview, the confidence become more personal, revealing real human journeys.
It was during his trip to the Philippines in October 2016, while trying to capture the basketball passion for United Ballers that he took the picture of a child having fun and playing basketball in the rain, a photo which was awarded 3rd place in the FIBA photo contest 2017.
KATRINA MCCLAIN - FIBA HALL OF FAME 2023
KATRINA MCCLAIN
A prolific rebounder and terrific scorer in a career that spanned three Olympic Games, three continents, and countless driveways, backyards, and arenas all over the world.
The two-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year finished her international career with two Olympic gold medals and one bronze, three FIBA World Championships medals, and five medals at the Goodwill Games, Pan Am Games, and World University Games.
In all, Katrina McClain appeared on eleven USA Basketball rosters, becoming one of the most decorated athletes in USA Basketball history. She was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2023.
MARTIN REDONDO - DESIGNER & SNEAKERS CUSTOMIZER
MARTIN REDONDO
Martín Redondo was born in Valladolid (Spain) and grew up in Madrid where he studied graphic design and illustration.
Passionate about basketball and shoes from a very young age, he has managed to merge his two passions in his profession, becoming one of the most famous shoe customizers in the world.
He is an active collaborator in numerous artistic projects related to basketball and has a long list of elite players who have worn his creations on the courts around the globe, including those of the NBA, at the feet of figures like Luka Doncic.
The Olympic Bronze Medalist in triple jump, Ana Peleteiro, or the World Boxing Champion of the mini flighweight, Joana Pastrana or the footballer of the F.C: Barcelona Pedri González are some of the stars of other sports that have worn his designs.
MATÍAS DELACROIX - PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
MATÍAS DELACROIX
Matias Delacroix was born in 1989 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and grew up in Chile, where he studied graphic design and art history. He has worked for over eight years for international agencies covering major news and sports events in Latin America & the Caribbean and around the world.
Currently, he collaborates daily with the Associated Press, based in Venezuela, and has recently covered events such as the social unrest, protests, and presidential elections in Chile, Brazil, and Argentina, the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti and migrant crises, among many others.
In 2021, he won first place in the FIBA contest, and Pictures of the Year (POY) recognized his 2021 portfolio with an Excellence Award in the Photographer of the Year category.
In 2023, he was honoured with the Simón Bolívar National Award as Photographer of the Year in Venezuela.
MILAD PAYAMI - FIBA Global Lead Photographer
MILAD PAYAMI
Milad Payami has extensive work experience in the field of photography. Milad began their career in 2009 as the Chief of Photography for FIBA. In this role he was responsible for capturing and documenting important moments and events for the organization. Milad also served as the Official Photographer for FIBA Asia and British Polo Day. In 2019, Payami joined the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) as an Official Photographer. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his passion and skill in capturing compelling images. Milad Payami holds a Bachelor's degree from Azad University.
ROBYN MAHER - FIBA HALL OF FAME 2022
ROBYN MAHER
Maher remains one of the most decorated, influential and admired players in the history of Australian basketball, having represented her country at three Olympic Games and six World Championships. She captained the Opals to their first Olympic medal – a bronze at Atlanta 1996 – and to another bronze at the 1998 Women World Cup in Germany. In all, she played 374 games for Australia, 174 of those as captain. Robyn Maher was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2022.
Kpeto Ali Kwami - FIBA Foundation Youth Leader
Kpeto Ali Kwami
Founder and associate coach of MBF Youth Empowerment Organisation, launched the initiative in 2019. Born and raised in Kpando in the Volta region of Ghana, Ali did not allow the lack of facilities and resources to stop him from aiming for his basketball dream, instead, it motivated him even more to create it. As a FIBA Foundation Youth Leader, Ali was selected to participate in a workshop with 22 fellow African change makers in Windhoek, Namibia and a consecutive mentoring program to further leverage the impact of his Basketball For Good initiatives.
R. Solomon Rajkumar - FIBA Foundation Youth Leader
R. Solomon Rajkumar
“My basketball journey began when I was 10 years old, and I went to visit my older brother's basketball camp. I instantly fell in love with the game and convinced the coach to accept me into the camp despite being very young. Since then, I have played in schools, clubs, and national-level competitions. My passion for playing gradually transformed into coaching, especially at the grassroots level. I run a basketball academy in India called 'The Dunkyard,' which specializes in grassroots basketball and MiniBasket. I am a FIBA-licensed statistician and have worked as an official in international competitions. I also work with the Basketball Federation of India as a statistics and video analyst for the national teams. Additionally, I am very proud to be a 'FIBA Foundation Youth Leader,' using basketball to create a positive impact in my community. I hope to continue growing and developing my skills in sports management. I want to create more opportunities for children and youth in India to get involved in basketball. Basketball has helped me become a better person, and I want to share what I have learned and create a better future for the next generation through basketball.”
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solomon.rajkumar
AMAR MANSOURR - FIBA Foundation Youth Leader
AMAR MANSOURR
On the basketball court, I was a natural leader who sparked a passion from a young age. I began earning respect for my skills, especially when I became the first player from Lebanon to compete for Team Africa & Middle East at the Jr. NBA World Championship.
My performances gained attention when I won the Best Scorer and Best Assists awards in the U16 WABA Championship and various Lebanese leagues. One of my proudest moments was becoming an Arab Club Champion with Beirut Club. At 17, I participated with the Lebanese national team to secure a spot in Division A at the FIBA Asia Women’s Cup.
By 19, I earned valuable playing time and showcased my skills during the World Cup Pre-Qualifiers in Rwanda. These achievements, along with contributing to the U25 national team's impressive fourth-place finish at the Jeux de la Francophonie in Congo, further enriched my international experience.