The PlayStation NBA Creator Cup is returning to Las Vegas, bringing some of the biggest names in digital content together for a basketball showcase during NBA Summer League. 

The event tips off at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, at The Pavilion at UNLV after the opening day’s first three Summer League games. 

NBA Summer League begins Thursday, July 9 and runs through the championship game on Sunday, July 19 at Thomas & Mack Center and The Pavilion at UNLV.

NBA Summer League Is About To Take Over Las Vegas

Sin City is about to become center stage for basketball excitement once again. NBA Summer League begins on Thursday, July 9 and continues with multiple games daily through the championship game on Sunday, July 19.

This is the time for the newly drafted rookies and second year players to show what they’ve got ahead of the start of the 2026-27 NBA season. Summer League provides a first look at what the upcoming NBA season can look like. All 30 NBA teams will play multiple games throughout the exciting 10-day event.

Many of the NBA’s top stars show their support for the rookies and the future of their teams by attending Summer League. The event is a basketball fan’s dream come true from start to finish. In previous years, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Victor Wembanyama, Cade Cunningham, and many others have been seen sitting courtside during the summer games.

Playstation NBA Creator Cup Takes Over The Court At The Pavilion On Thursday Night

The NBA Creator Cup was started in 2021 as a content-first event with top digital creators showcasing their basketball skills. The event bridges the gap between traditional sports media, new media, and younger audiences in a fun way. The Creator Cup games have been hosted during NBA All-Star, NBA Summer League, and the Emirates NBA Cup.

This year’s unique format is designed to keep the competition going from start to finish. According to a press release sent to The Blast, “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.”

After the first three levels, the game transitions to an untimed target-score finish, with the winning score set to 11 points above the leading team’s total.

Fans will be able to follow the action with live play-by-play commentary from Joe of StrictlyBball and surprise guest commentators.

Who’s Playing In This Year’s NBA Creator Cup At Summer League?

The NBA Creator Cup game will be filled with familiar faces and names, including well known content creators, basketball creators, former basketball players, and more.

Team Pierre consists of MDMotivator (Zachery Dereniowski), a content creator known for his heartwarming and uplifting videos on social media; YPK Raye, a basketball and lifestyle creator; Cam Wilder, a high-energy creator and AAU coach; Kris “LSK” London, a former college basketball player and one of the most recognizable personalities in sports and gaming thanks to his basketball content; and Jay Cinco, a viral TikTok creator and rapper.

But wait, there’s more. Jenna Bandy, a basketball creator known for her viral challenges and trick shots will also be on Team Pierre. She 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 will also be on Team Pierre. Also on the team, Mariah Linney, who was named Miss Basketball in South Carolina by High School Sports Report before her four-year career at UNC-Charlotte, and Nicky Gathrite, an entrepreneur and CEO who co-founded Unruly and Elevate Agencies. She also won the 2018 season of “Fear Factor.”

Team Darrick Also Has Well Known Talent

The list of impressive players continues over on Team Darrick.

Lee McCall, better known as LeeThe4th, has gone viral for his height (6’9) as well as his relatable “short person” humor on social media, will be playing for Team Darrick. Also on the roster, Jordan Wallace, also known as JDub, who played college basketball before building an online following through basketball content and comedy skits.

BenDaDonnn, also know as Been Dat, a Miami-based internet personality and comedian; Drifty Jay, a basketball content creator; Bree Green, a former Harlem Globetrotter; and Whit3 Iverson, a former college, professional, and street basketball player will all be playing for Team Darrick.

Also on the team, Duke Skywalka, a professional basketball player, actor, and influencer; Lynadia Whiting, a basketball player and YouTuber who inspires young people through sports; and CWhye, a member of BucketSquad.

The NBA Creator Cup’s in-arena host will be Da Kid Gowie, a sports creator known for his viral LeBron James impressions and comedic basketball content. Joe of Strictly Bball will be the commentator for the game, and Young Wayne, the voice and personality of the NBA2K streetball experience and podcast host will be an in-arena host.

NBA Creator Cup Is Thursday, July 9 At The Pavilion At UNLV

Tickets are currently on sale for NBA Summer League. For fans not in Las Vegas, you can catch the action live on NBA YouTube, the NBA App, and NBA on Facebook.

Be sure to follow The Blast for NBA Summer League stories and content beginning on July 9 and continuing through July 19.

The PlayStation NBA Creator Cup Returns To Las Vegas During Summer League first appeared on The Blast