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The two men behind the event that’s changing Melbourne’s landscape

Melbourne may be known as the sporting capital, but it was sorely lacking in one department. These two men have changed that.

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From the sandpit to worldwide notoriety.

This isn’t the story of some brazen Melbourne billionaire, it’s the story of two childhood friends who used their love of basketball to help shape the Melbourne landscape.

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Daniel Ella and Eamon Larman-Ripon may not be household names, but their love of hoops has brought a new aspect to the city.

The duo, who grew up together, are putting their stamp on the sporting capital of Australia as they bring a taste of the New York streets to their childhood home with their Summer Jam Championship.

While the city is no stranger to basketball, having produced some phenomenal talent over the years, it was the streetball scene that was lacking.

The pair started out hoping to emulate New York’s famous Rucker Park, but what started as a dream has since evolved into a tournament that has taken over the streets of Melbourne and gained worldwide notoriety in the process.

The two are changing the game in Melbourne. Image supplied by: SPEAK Communications.
The two are changing the game in Melbourne. Image supplied by: SPEAK Communications.

“When we came into it the thinking of it wasn’t to be a business. The thinking of it was it was more like a passion we both shared,” Daniel said to news.com.au.

“We had similar dreams of the game and sort of saw the game the same way. So we had that language of streetball that no one else really shared.

“We had all the mix tapes and all those magazines and all those things that, you know, we would just give to each other, go to each other’s houses, watch NBA, watch this.

“It was more the passion of the game that sort of culminated to us like ‘oh we’re the guys to do a tournament for our friends’.

“And then the demand of the wider community wanting to participate further in it, and doing that year after year after year to then having a reputation.”

The pair grew up together. Image supplied by: SPEAK Communications.
The pair grew up together. Image supplied by: SPEAK Communications.
They’re now gaining worldwide notoriety. Image supplied by: SPEAK Communications.
They’re now gaining worldwide notoriety. Image supplied by: SPEAK Communications.

The growth of it has not only seen the duo put their stamp on the streets of Melbourne, but has put the tournament on the international radar.

The duo know the goalposts have changed from when things first started out to Summer Jam now drawing closer to its 13th edition taking place.

“For us to have it in Melbourne, in our home city with friends and family around for whatever scale it was in the first one, that was one of the best days of my life,” Eamon said.

“You know, can’t believe this is happening. But just imagining that you can see yourself with it being what it is today.

“We created our own Rucker Park, our own experience, way back then. And it’s the same way for the new wave coming into this event now.”

Summer Jam has put the streetball scene on the map in Oz. Image supplied by: SPEAK Communications.
Summer Jam has put the streetball scene on the map in Oz. Image supplied by: SPEAK Communications.
Rucker Park is the streetball mecca
Rucker Park is the streetball mecca

The inspiration has allowed the pair to travel the globe and take in what the world has to offer and see how the game is being run on different streets.

While it’s a heavy drawcard for local talent, the pair are building towards turning Summer Jam into a worldwide streetball event.

“We went to we went to Paris, we went to New Zealand, we went to Tokyo, went to Philippines and then probably New York this year,” Daniel said.

“But we just want to build, I guess, the goal is to build inroads to a world streetball championship, and have teams from around the world come to Melbourne.

“I think, why not? It’s like let’s be bold with it, because there’s nowhere else but up.”

Summer Jam 13 is just around the corner.
Summer Jam 13 is just around the corner.

With teams from New Zealand and a team from Japan heading out for the 2025 edition of the tournament, the global view appears to be coming into focus.

Of course there’s always an extra element that could make any event even greater … seeing your favourite player walk onto the court.

“For me it’s MJ. He’s the reason why I got into the game and now we’re sponsored by him. What a boss move that would be,” Eamon said.

Daniel however played his cards closer to his chest: “I’m not telling you because they might be coming.”

The three day Summer Jam Championship runs from February 7 to February 9 and will take place in St Kilda with tickets available to be purchased here.

Read related topics:Melbourne

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/basketball/the-two-men-behind-the-event-thats-changing-melbournes-landscape/news-story/6f398ca22e3c022de82047467fc683f6