Everett Osborne arrives at Woodville Basketball Club after starring in Nike ad alongside LeBron James, Kevin Durant
WHAT do NBA superstars LeBron James and Kevin Durant have in common with Woodville Basketball Club’s new American import? They feature in an international Nike commercial that has had more than 25 million YouTube views. [Watch it here]
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WHAT do NBA superstars LeBron James and Kevin Durant have in common with Woodville Basketball Club’s new American import?
They play the leading roles in an international Nike commercial that has had more than 25 million YouTube views.
Everett Osborne, who joined Woodville in January, filmed the ad in Los Angeles alongside James and Durant in August after being chosen from a lengthy audition process. Osborne, 25, plays an aspiring basketballer who progresses from streetball to college ranks to getting signed by NBA powerhouse Cleveland, where he teams with four-time league MVP James.
The commercial culminates with Osborne defending nine-time all-star Durant then dunking a James alley-oop to win a game against the Golden State Warriors.
“It was crazy,” Osborne says.
“I initially thought it was going to just be some random basketball thing and I’d be in the background.
“Once I realised I was the star, how big it was, that it was Nike, LeBron and KD (Durant) … oh, man, I didn’t expect none of that. It was bright lights, they brought so many fans and it felt like a real game.
“A lot of guys I was filming with were nervous but I felt comfortable, like I belonged on the court.
“It was awesome.
“I just thank God.
“For that to happen was a blessing.”
The commercial took a month to film but Durant and James were only needed for one day.
“It was good to play with LeBron, for him to show me respect, to be on the same court as him and talk trash amongst each other.”
Osborne worked on his game with a Nike coach on most lunch breaks during the film shoot.
“But one lunch time, I went in my trailer, closed the door, Facetimed my Mum (Angelina) and just broke down crying,” he says.
“We’d worked so hard to get to a point so I just prayed with her and was really thankful for the opportunity.”
Osborne will not reveal how Nike has compensated him for the ad, only saying “I’m good”.
He received hundreds of messages from friends once the ad, titled “Want It All”, was released.
“It was a big wave but I stayed humble.”
LA-raised Osborne grew up as a Lakers fan.
His family sometimes ran out into the street when Kobe Bryant would hit a game-winner and Osborne would attend street parades with his uncle, Wavie, each time LA won a championship.
“I still follow those guys and have the same dreams I had as a kid.”
The former University of Texas Rio Grande Valley guard’s playing career brought him to Adelaide after he missed out on landing a roster spot in the second-tier NBA G-League.
Woodville coach Scott Whitmore had tracked him for more than 12 months and when he got in touch, Osborne leapt at the chance to launch his career overseas.
“I like LA but there’s a lot going on so I like to go to a secluded city where I can work on my game.”
Since coming here, Osborne has featured in a Business SA ad aimed at keeping young entrepreneurs in Adelaide.
“It was great to be a part of that and push Adelaide in a positive direction.”
Osborne hopes to lead Woodville to its first men’s championship since 2014.
Off the court, he is giving back to our city by mentoring indigenous players and Enfield Primary students, and hosting a basketball camp, Balling and Evolving.
Beyond this year, Osborne has no specific plans but lofty ambitions.
“I want to continue to do great things that are bigger than my Nike commercial.
“I don’t take it for granted, I use it for inspiration.
“I want to one day be the star in the commercial in real life that’s playing in the NBA.”
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