To properly tell the story of the European Basketball Heritage series, the BSTN x adidas Forum capsule collection releases alongside two limited-edition coffee-table books – a celebration of regional and local cultures and a humble tribute to those, who were essential in creating them. Each volume features conversations with people who embody their team, its history, and the communities that make it unique alongside portraits and exclusive artworks.
Well aware of our role as admirers from the outside, BSTN made it obligatory to travel to Athens and talk directly to those in the know and shoot the campaign imagery in the very city that’s the heartbeat of the team. The EBH Series also features various artworks, created exclusively for this coffee-table book by numerous highly talented artists from around the globe. The results can now be found in an exclusive 148-page book, created in its entirety by your friendly neighborhood beasts and printed and cased in Germany.
For the creation of European Basketball Heritage: PAO, the BSTN crew sat down with Dimitris Diamantidis and Frankie Alvertis in the bowels of the legendary O.A.C.A., traveled to Belgrade to have dinner with Dejan Bodiroga, and rang up Dominique Wilkins in Atlanta, among many other exclusive interviews.
From the players whose banners are hanging from the rafters, to familiar faces from behind the scenes and various members of the community, the book features interviews with protagonists from numerous fields and across multiple generations. This issue is dedicated to the glorious history of Panathinaikos and the heights that the club and its passionate fans aspire to reach again.
There is one thing, however, that the BSTN European Basketball Heritage book series is not. Neither volume claims to be comprehensive history book of its respective franchise. Because it can’t. And it doesn’t try to be.
While basketball is deeply rooted in BSTN’s DNA, we try our best to maintain a realistic perspective and approach this project with humble self-awareness. We are proud to work with two institutions so rich in history and we are thankful for the opportunity to express our admiration.
That’s why this book is built on conversations with and photos of people who embody their club – a series of snaps for those who, like us, appreciate basketball with a distinct European twist. We hope you enjoy!
The first issue of BSTN’s European Basketball Heritage book series – dedicated to Panathinaikos Athens – releases on Saturday, May 7th, alongside the BSTN x adidas Forum ’84 Low PAO, exclusively at BSTN. Grab your copy via the button below!
