Image via Elliot Simpson for Complex UK
The biggest night of the year for UK basketball is right around the corner.
Midnight Madness takes over London's Copper Box Arena for their finals night on August 28th, as the best known and unknown ballers in the UK compete for the chance to represent their country at a glamorous invitational tournament in the Caribbean.
MM Finals Night has earned its place as the must-see event in the summer hoops calendar as it presents a blend of competitive basketball, live DJs and performances from some of music's biggest names. After a nationwide talent search, the grand final takes place on the Midnight Madness 'white out' court, while audiences should also get their cameras ready for the spectacular World Slam Dunk contest, which takes place on the same night.
Here's why Midnight Madness is the summer's must-see basketball event.
It's the UK's biggest basketball talent search
Midnight Madness has become Britain's biggest basketball talent search, which offers players the chance to showcase their talents to fans, players and coaches in a tournament that culminates in an 'All-Star' final that's attended by some the biggest names involved in the game. This year's winners will travel to the Caribbean to represent Britain in one of the world's best invitational tournaments.
This year, GB stars Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Ashley Hamilton, Myles Hesson, Orlan Jackman, Fahro Alihodzic have been joined by British Basketball League (BBL) stars Jamell Anderson (Leicester Riders), Conner Washington (Leicester Riders), Tayo Ogedengbe (Surrey Scorchers) and Olu Babalola (Manchester Giants) to be just a few of the stars on show in British basketball's biggest summer hit.
The World Slam Dunk Finals is real-life Space Jam
The World Slam Dunk finals will take place on Midnight Madness Finals Night and it's certain be amongst the most jaw-dropping things you'll ever see as the world's best ballers defy gravity.
The likes of Rafal Lininski, Kristaps Dargais and Justin Darlington will all be in attendance and hoping to show out. If you want a taste of what's to come, peep the video Hoopsfix put together of last year's jaw-dropping contest.
Lady Leshurr and DJ Ace will shut things down
For one night only, Midnight Madness fuses basketball with the lifestyle and culture that surrounds it. Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes are amongst previous performers and for 2015, the UK's hottest female MC, Lady Leshurr, will be stepping up the mic, while the latest sounds will be played all night by BBC Radio 1Xtra's DJ Ace.
Midnight Madness is leaving a legacy
Midnight Madness celebrated its 15th anniversary last year and after a humble start in 1999 – the tournament was actually designed to help combat gun and knife crime in London – it now attracts thousands of spectators, 5,000 players and a digital audience of over 6 million every single year.
Finals Night is in the perfect place
Midnight Madness descends on the electric Copper Box Arena for the second consecutive year on August 28th, which became known during London 2012 as the “box that rocks”. Home to the London Lions, the Copper Box is used to seeing basketball, but the nocturnal presence of Midnight Madness promises to take the atmosphere to a whole new level.
If all this isn't enough, every ticket bought online for Midnight Madness will be entered into a prize draw, which will see the winner awarded two tickets for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Caribbean.
Tickets are now on sale for Midnight Madness Finals Night here.