The PlayStation NBA Creator Cup returns to Las Vegas on Thursday, July 9 at 8:30 p.m. PT, bringing together some of the biggest names in basketball and digital culture for a one-of-a-kind showdown at The Pavilion at UNLV.
This year’s event marks the sixth NBA Creator Cup overall and the first time it will be part of the official NBA Summer League opening day schedule, taking place as the last game of the night in The Pavilion. Fans can catch all the action live via the NBA App, NBA YouTube and NBA Facebook, with real-time creator livestreams adding extra angles, energy, and storytelling from on and off the court. Tickets to the event include access to 7 NBA Summer League games, so be sure to get yours today!
Meet the creators
With a combined social following of over 125 million, this year’s PlayStation NBA Creator Cup roster features some of the most influential names in basketball and gaming content. Pierre Andresen and Darrick Miller of Enjoy Basketball will serve as the coaches, bringing their friendly rivalry all the way to the NBA stage. Joe of StrictlyBball will call all the action, joined by Kenny Beecham and Mike Heard from Enjoy Basketball in the booth, as the trio share their excitement and passion for the game while representing some of the fastest-growing media brands in basketball.
Team Pierre
MDMotivator: Zachery Dereniowski, known as MDMotivator, is a content creator known for his philanthropy. His journey in medical school gave him a passion for mental health awareness and empathy, and he started performing random acts of kindness. This evolved into surprising strangers with gifts and experiences, always spreading positivity and making kindness cool.
YPK Raye: A basketball and lifestyle creator known for his unique blend of highlights, skits and vlog content, YPK Raye keeps fans entertained both on and off the court.
Cam Wilder: Cam Wilder is a high-energy creator known for his park takeovers, comedic personality and behind-the-scenes look at coaching his AAU program, Rod Wave Elite. His journey began in his college dorm, where he started making videos that quickly resonated with fans. Now one of the most recognized faces in the basketball creator community, Cam brings both entertainment and intensity to the NBA Creator Cup.
Kristopher “LSK” London: A former college basketball player at Oral Roberts and Newman University, Kris London has become one of the most recognizable personalities in sports and gaming through his basketball content and larger-than-life personality.
Jay Cinco: Jay Cinco is a prominent livestreamer, viral TikTok creator and rapper. Jay will be playing in his second Creator Cup after participating in the PlayStation NBA Creator Cup 3v3 at NBA All-Star last February.
Jenna Bandy: A basketball creator known for her trick shots and viral challenges, Bandy also holds a Guinness World Record for the farthest football thrown into a target by a female. She’s also the founder of GameChangeHer, a nonprofit designed to empower young female athletes.
Chris Staples: A professional dunker and former Harlem Globetrotter, Staples has won dunk contests around the world and built one of the most unique careers in basketball and entertainment.
Mariah Linney: Before starting her content creation journey, Mariah Linney was named Miss Basketball in South Carolina by High School Sports Report before moving on to a four-year career at UNC-Charlotte. Her content focuses on her passions of hat and sneaker collecting, photography, traveling and, of course, hooping.
Nicky Gathrite: An entrepreneur and CEO who co-founded Unruly and Elevate Agencies, Nicky Gathrite is known for winning the 2018 season of Fear Factor, acting in Professor Thompson (2018) and House of Heat (2024), and competing at a high level in pro-am and celebrity basketball circuits, including the Drew League.
Team Darrick
Lee the 4th: Lee McCall, better known as LeeThe4th, is a prominent American digital content creator, comedian, and former collegiate basketball player. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches tall, he went viral for his towering height, rhythmic dribbling, and relatable “short person” humor on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
JDub: Jordan Wallace, known as JDub, played college basketball at Lamar University and Victoria College before building a following through basketball content, comedy skits and lifestyle vlogs.
BenDaDonnn: BenDaDonnn, also known as Been Dat, is a Miami-based internet personality, comedian, and social media influencer who first gained recognition as a stylist for high-profile NFL and NBA athletes before transitioning into streaming, stand-up comedy, and content creation.
Drifty Jay: A basketball content creator known for entertaining his audience with park takeovers, 1v1 matchups, AAU tournaments, and comedy-driven challenge videos.
Bree Green: A former Harlem Globetrotter, Green brings dynamic basketball skills, creative trick shots and entertaining content to fans across social media.
Whit3 Iverson: A former college, professional, and street basketball player who now creates basketball highlight and tutorial videos, Whit3 Iverson has been featured on Ball Is Life and in a variety of influencer tournaments.
Duke Skywalka: Dazeran (Duke) Jones, also known as Duke Skywalka, is a professional American basketball player, internet personality, actor and influencer. He is widely known for his basketball skills with BallIsLife and his role in the remake of “White Men Can’t Jump” and does motion capture acting for NBA 2K.
Lynadia Whiting: Lynadia Whiting is a basketball player and YouTuber who aims to inspire young people through sports. After scoring over 1,000 points in high school she went on to play her college ball at Limestone University in South Carolina. Whiting has also coached a local travel team and mentored young girls. As a YouTuber, she shares her passion for basketball and its positive impact on her life.
CWhye: A member of BucketSquad, CWhye has built a following through basketball challenges, competitive matchups and comedic content.
Da Kid Gowie (In-Arena Host): A sports creator known for his comedic basketball content and viral LeBron James impressions, Gowie returns as the NBA Creator Cup’s in-arena host.
Young Wayne (in-arena host): The voice and personality of the NBA2K streetball experience and podcast host from Chicago brings his energy back to Las Vegas.
Format
This year’s NBA Creator Cup will feature a unique format designed to keep the competition high from start to finish:
- Teams will compete across three eight-minute levels, with twists and turns to the gameplay, including “Turbo Mode,” a two-minute stretch that increases the pace and introduces scoring bonuses.
- Following the first three levels, the game will transition to an untimed target-score finish. The winning score will be set 11 points above the leading team’s total.
- Fans can follow every moment of the action with live play-by-play commentary from Joe of StrictlyBball and analysis from Kenny Beecham and Mike Heard of Enjoy Basketball.
