GAM3

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Francisco Elson with GAM3 players

GAM3 is a program to get young immigrants involved in neighborhood basketball. Based in Denmark the program was started in 2002 by Simon Prahm, George Goldsmith and Martin Schultz.

Organized as a non-profit organization the program is a fusion of street basketball, hip hop music and an effort to integrate minority youth in the community. Spelled with a backwards ‘E’ – which alludes to its 3-on-3 tournament format.

For four months in the summer, young people gather once a week at designated housing development playgrounds – so called GAM3 Zones – to learn and practice the basics of street basketball.^[1] In 2006 GAM3 will establish GAM3 Zones in 17 housing development projects across Denmark in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Haderslev, Holbaek, Helsingoer and Greater Copenhagen.

In the middle of the season GAM3 takes its show on the road, hosting a full-day training activity - Street GAM3 - with live music in six selected Zones. As a new add-on in 2006 the activities will not only include a basketball camp feat. NBA players,^[2] but also workshop sessions where the kids can try out various activities inspired by NYC street culture. This will include Street Dance, Street Wear, Street Art, Street Food and a chance to just hang out at the Chill-Out Area.

Towards the end of the summer the activities culminateswith GAM3 Finals which consist of a major tournament in the heart of Copenhagen featuring professional basketball players, a Slam Dunk Contest, and renowned hip hop DJs and rappers from around the world.^[1] The outdoor tournament is Scandinavia’s largest with around 100 participating teams.