Golden hour in Los Angeles has a way of romanticizing everything. And that held particularly true this week in the lush back garden of a members-only hideaway, where the breeze was warm, the lighting suspiciously perfect, and the air filled with the fragrant mix of jasmine and piquant luxury cologne reserved for showroom appointments and fashion week fittings.
As the sky melted into honey and the who's who crowd settled into bespoke banter in their second-skin tailoring, you could feel it: this wasn’t just a party, but a perfectly timed cultural play-by-play.
For the Sport of It All, hosted by Highsnobiety and powered by Cheez-It®, was the buzzer-beating intersection where style met sport…and then stayed awhile. Held to cap off Pulse Check, a five-part original series exploring basketball’s ever-expanding influence beyond the paint and into every corner of style, identity, and self-expression, the night brought together athletes, stylists, and creatives to celebrate the game’s lasting cultural imprint.
From jerseys and sneakers to gaming, tunnel fits, and the rise of the WNBA, Pulse Check dove into how basketball continues to shape identity, style, and self-expression across generations. This culminating event focused on two chapters of the series: Lesson 3 (NBA Player Style + The Tunnel Fit Phenomenon) and Lesson 4 (The Rise of the WNBA), bringing those ideas to life in a tangible space.
Inside, basketballs emblazoned with branded decals filled the venue, while lush floral arrangements added vibrancy to every corner. DJs Quinn Blake and Noodles curated a seamless blend of R&B, house, and hip-hop, setting the tone with a laid-back yet energetic atmosphere. Influencers like Denzel Dion and stylist Taylor Okata navigated the space, filtering through curated moments and photo-ready vignettes, each designed to reflect the themes Pulse Check has explored throughout its run.
At the heart of the evening was a panel conversation moderated by Pulse Check host and Highsnobiety’s very own, Jason Meggyesy. Joining him were LA Sparks standout Rickea Jackson, Miami Heat guard Josh Christopher, and celebrity stylists Brittany Hampton and Dex Robinson. Together, they unpacked how fashion, identity, and basketball have become deeply intertwined, from the cultural impact of the tunnel walk to the rising visibility of the women’s game. “As people continue to watch us, they truly fall in love with us. They see us as real hoopers,” Jackson said, reflecting on the growing recognition of the WNBA.
Throughout the discussion, Christopher spoke about how confidence off the court mirrors performance on it, emphasizing that an athlete’s style is an extension of their on-court persona. Hampton and Robinson, both seasoned in dressing today’s must-watch players, shared their insider perspectives on how style has become a key element of the public narrative surrounding hoopers, blurring the lines between sports and high fashion.
The grounds were filled with eye-catching elements that encouraged guests to engage with the fusion of style and sport. Subtle references to Cheez-It added a playful, lighthearted twist to the evening’s more refined storytelling, offering moments of levity amidst the modern surroundings.
As the night wound down, conversations clustered in corners as stylists traded digits with off-duty players and the faint crunch of Cheez-It peppered the garden’s soundtrack. It was clear that For the Sport of It All wasn’t just a recap. It was a spark. Though Pulse Check is drawing to an end, the conversations it ignited will continue to echo. Basketball isn’t just a game—it’s a cultural barometer, shifting with every season, every fit pic, every shot taken between the lines. And this night? A reminder that sport isn’t just something we watch. It’s something we are.
Discover more from Pulse Check here!
