NDSM Giants: where basketball, art and community come together

3 May, 2026

Stichting NDSM-werf, with the support of 3X3 Unites, officially unveiled the NDSM Giants in a festive way. The artwork of three huge concrete sculptures of basketball players seems to look out over the 3x3 Legacy Art Courts. Together, the NDSM Giants and the 3x3 Legacy Art Courts form a special meeting place for young people, local residents and visitors of the NDSM site.

“As our name already says, we want to connect with 3X3 Unites”, says Mark Schuurman, co-founder of 3X3 Unites. “The fact that we can bring together art & culture and sport at this amazing public place and leave something lasting is great. The NDSM Wharf fits very well with 3X3 Unites in terms of creative context and atmosphere.

”The NDSM Giants seem to be captured in movement and are made by artist Gabriel Lester, also known as PolyLester. Of course, he was present at the opening himself, just like NDSM director Tim Vermeulen and Esther Lagendijk, district administrator of Amsterdam-Noord. Gabriel had previously created the paintings on the two 3x3 Legacy Art Courts.

The colorful legacy courts have given the NDSM Wharf a strong identity since 2024. The NDSM Giants now complete the whole, according to Gabriel. “The giants mark the place and at the same time create a sheltered space where young people can express themselves through basketball and feel at home”, says Gabriel.

Before the official opening, the players of the Dutch 3x3 women’s team gave a 3x3 clinic on the legacy courts. “3X3 Unites and Stichting NDSM find it important that girls get the same opportunities as boys”, says Mark. “That means a girl should be able to play on the street just as much as a boy, even though there are sometimes still barriers or challenges.”

Both 3X3 Unites and Stichting NDSM are aware of this and are making extra efforts for it. Not only does 3X3 Unites have the Girls Only 3X3 Leader Course, they also organize the FIBA 3x3 World Tour & 3x3 Women’s Series at the NDSM Wharf from June 19 to 21, where the best male and female 3x3 basketball players in the world compete against each other.

The players of the Dutch 3x3 women’s team, who have already become European and world champions, will also compete in the 3x3 Women’s Series. “It is really cool that these role models gave the clinic and managed to inspire other young girls”, says Mark. Over their shoulders, the eight-meter-high NDSM Giants looked on. The concrete sculptures saw a lot of joy and determination.

3X3 Unites develops 3x3 Legacy Art Courts at different locations in the Netherlands, so that people can keep playing basketball at places where 3X3 Unites previously organized events or programs. Last year, 3X3 Unites organized the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and 3x3 Women’s Series at the NDSM Wharf for the first time, where the Dutch women also won the title. This year, the international event returns to Amsterdam-Noord.

But this time it promises to be even bigger. Because of the ten-year anniversary of 3X3 Unites, there will be a full 3X3 Festival around the FIBA 3x3 World Tour & 3x3 Women’s Series. The 3x3 Legacy Art Courts are part of this festival. The first national finals of the Rabo 3x3 Street League will be held here. This gives all participants and visitors the chance to admire the NDSM Giants.Mark: “During the 3X3 Festival, all worlds come together in a beautiful way. Literally from and on the streets to the world top.”