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Welcome to The Baseline!

Every end of the week, I break down what you missed in basketball culture. 

This 3-minute read shares the latest marketing and creator insights across the industry.

Let’s jump right into it…

FAST BREAK

Here’s what you missed this week:

✅ After her Christmas commercial aired with Nike Basketball, Caitlin Clark appeared on the New Heights Show and revealed that her signature shoe, set to release in 2026, will feature never-before-used technology.

🫖 Trae Young stopped by the local QuikTrip gas station in Oklahoma to help launch his latest investment, Crooked Tea, an organic hard iced tea brand.

🏀 Unrivaled kicked off their Season 2 with partnerships across content and activations with Samsung, Under Armour, Sephora, DraftKings, Miller Lite, State Farm, and more.

🇦🇺 Cam Wilder partnered with Foot Locker Australia and Summer Jam as they announced a 4-city Park Takeover Tour in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.

👟 Kevin Durant premiered a pair of Nike KD 18 PE sneakers made exclusively for his Boardroom Members Club, a paid community for industry leaders, athletes, investors, and entrepreneurs.

3️⃣ Kyrie Irving casually gave fans a first look at his third signature sneaker with Anta, the Kai 3.0.

👕 LeBron James was styled by his daugther Zhuri James in his latest tunnel outfit and the internet is saying it was his best ‘fit ever.

☘️ Payton Pritchard shared some behind-the-scenes and storytelling insights into the details that make up his Converse BB Trilliant Homegrown PE sneaker.

💰 The GameChanger Challenge with Dick’s Sporting Goods kicked off last weekend in NY/NJ, with LaLa and Zeddy Will hosting the middle school AAU tournament, giving out $5K per division. The event shifts to Miami this weekend.

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THE POINT FORWARD

This is THE section of our newsletter where I point out one thing worth sharing with someone in your network—whether it’s a job, a resource, or just an idea or inspiration.

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POST-GAME

Thanks for reading—I’ll see you back here next week!

And if you enjoyed reading today’s newsletter, please share it with one friend.

- Jeff Chen | 🏀💡👨🏻‍💻