LAUSANNE (Switzerland) – On 26 June 2025, the heart of Lausanne pulsed with nostalgia and excitement as more than 200 basketball fans, film lovers, and local personalities stepped into the Capitole Cinema for a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience - a special screening of the 1992 cult classic White Men Can’t Jump.
Presented by the FIBA Foundation and the Cinémathèque Suisse, the event, part of the ongoing “Cinema & Basketball” exhibition, celebrated the intersection of sport and film in a historic venue built in 1928 and recognized as the largest cinema in Switzerland.
The screening featured the original 1992 reel of the film, adding an extra layer of authenticity and nostalgia to the experience. It served not only as a tribute to basketball on the big screen but also as a strategic celebration of the sport ahead of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, now underway in Lausanne.
White Men Can’t Jump is a sharp, high-energy sports drama that follows the unlikely partnership between Billy Hoyle, a deceptively skilled white basketball hustler, and Sidney Deane, a smooth-talking, street-smart player. Set against the sun-soaked courts of Los Angeles, the film blends witty dialogue, electric chemistry, and cultural tension as it explores themes of race, ego, and survival in the high-stakes world of street basketball.
Before the screening, guests were treated to a pair of engaging speeches. Erik Lehmann, Secretary General of Swiss Basketball, highlighted the federation’s recent milestones and underscored the importance of growing the sport nationally. Theren Bullock Jr., Head of the FIBA Foundation, devoted part of the session to outlining the key programs and efforts of the FIBA Foundation. Finally, the first Swiss NBA player, Thabo Sefolosha, added a personal touch, reflecting on how basketball—and White Men Can’t Jump in particular—shaped his career and identity.
To cap off the evening, attendees received complimentary tickets to attend the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, further connecting fans with the next generation of global basketball talent.
This cinematic event is one of several side activities supporting “From the Court to the Big Screen,” a unique exhibition currently on display at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball. The exhibition explores the captivating history of basketball through film, featuring 90 titles from over 20 countries and nearly a century of cinematic storytelling—from early black-and-white classics to contemporary box office hits.
The exhibition was made possible thanks to the generous contribution of renowned basketball memorabilia collector Mirco Cussigh and remains open to the public, continuing to shine a light on the cultural impact of basketball around the world.
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About the FIBA Foundation
The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
FIBA’s cultural heritage is the heart of the FIBA Foundation’s cultural and historical activities. It is one of the driving forces behind the promotion and dissemination of FIBA’s values.
About Cinémathèque Suisse
Cinémathèque Suisse preserves, restores and promotes Swiss and international film heritage. It is recognized by the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) as one of the ten most important film archives in the world, thanks to the scope, diversity and quality of its collections.
