The PlayStation NBA Creator Cup returns to Las Vegas on July 9, 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 after three Summer League games. Fans can catch all the action live via YouTube, the NBA App and Facebook.
Meet the creators
With a combined social following of over 115 million, this year’s PlayStation NBA Creator Cup roster features some of the most influential names in basketball and gaming content.
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.
LeeThe4th: A former college basketball player turned creator, LeeThe4th has built a following through basketball content, comedy and humor, becoming known for his ball-handling skills and towering 6-foot-9 frame.
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.
Strictly Bball (commentator): Strictly BBall has helped build one of basketball’s fastest-growing media brands, spotlighting rising stars from high school to the NBA.
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.
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.
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.
Bree Green: A former Harlem Globetrotter, Green brings dynamic basketball skills, creative trick shots and entertaining content to fans across social media.
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.
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. In high school, she scored over 1,000 points and received scholarships to Harcum Junior College and Limestone University. During her first college season, she ranked in the top 20 nationally. 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.
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 surprise guest commentators.
