Nike Basketball Freestyle (2001) – The Iconic Ad That Redefined Streetball, Still Inspiring NZ Hoopers

Step back into sneaker and streetball history with Nike’s legendary 2001 Basketball Freestyle commercial — a groundbreaking moment that blended rhythm, sport, and urban style in a way that’s still influencing basketball culture today, including right here in New Zealand.

Featuring fluid dribbling, high-energy footwork, and perfect sync with a beat-driven soundtrack, the ad showcased stars like Vince Carter and Jason Williams turning basketball into art. For Kiwi hoopers who grew up on asphalt courts in Auckland, Wellington, or Rotorua, this wasn’t just a commercial — it was a cultural blueprint.

Whether you’re coaching youth basketball in Christchurch or throwing down after school at your local rec centre, this spot reminds us that the game is about creativity, rhythm, and flow. And it helped lay the foundation for New Zealand’s thriving basketball and streetwear scenes.

Over two decades later, the Nike Freestyle ad still holds up — inspiring a new generation of players to move with style, flair, and unapologetic individuality.


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Daniel Chyi 戚钊

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