UnLtd: Big Basket competition crowns Nine as industry champions

UnLtd held its inaugural Big Basket competition on Friday, 21st October, with 20 teams across the Melbourne advertising industry coming together at MSAC to shoot hoops for good.

The event, sponsored by Amazon Advertising and supported by NBL and 3x3Hustle, brought competitors and peers together to play basketball and to raise funds for UnLtd, the industry’s social purpose organisation connecting the media, marketing and creative industry with charities helping young people at risk.

The games were fast and furious and played in 3x3 style with only three players per team on the court at one time. The final was between Nine and Nunn, with Nine finally taking the win with a final score of 14-9.

Tiff Damm with pro-baller David Andersen

Ben Waldren, group business manager at Nine, said: "It's an honour to be crowned as the first-ever Big Basket champions! We had such a great day connecting with the industry over a game that we love and doing it for such a fantastic cause. Big thanks to all the spectators who came along to cheer us along!"

The competition featured a half-court shootout with Abdi Osman from Amazon Advertising scoring the highest score.

The guests were also treated to a visit from a Pro Baller – two-time NBL champion and four-time Olympian David Andersen. Guests also heard from UnLtd’s charity partner batyr about the important work they do to smash the stigma surrounding mental health and to empower young people to reach out for support.

Paul Kent, head of Amazon AdTech ANZ, said: "What a brilliant day – basketball is such a great sport for players and spectators alike!

"It was great seeing the Melbourne adland embrace this new event, there are some great b-ballers in our industry! It was also good to hear from batyr and be reminded of the important work that UnLtd and its charity partners do for youth at risk," he added.

The next UnLtd's sporting event in Melbourne is the Big Clash cricket event on 23 February 2023.