Why subscribe?

Like you, we’re all about Aussie hoops: commentary, analysis, interviews and more. The work we’ve shared since 2013 has been free to read, but it's never been free to produce. That's always it. It's expected to be free, but the cost of doing this the right way is heavy, because none of us do this full-time.

The Pick and Roll has built its reputation as an independent, unbiased voice, and we do not shift our narratives to suit big brand shareholders (it’s owned by two basketball fans holding day jobs).

We’ve celebrated success with the team finding roles in basketball media, including:

Subscribe to ensure the independent platform we’ve created to nurture talented journalists and writers, continues to flourish. 

Good writing is hard, and it takes time. From interviews to transcriptions to writing and editing, it’s never quick or easy. There’s unseen hours of work, late into the night. Feedback and brainstorming, organising interviews. The work that goes into planning and recording podcasts. The long, painstaking process of creating a cohesive brand, making digital art and cutting video. Everything we produce has been the collective fruit of our passion. 

Hosting, images, filing taxes, and the countless hours of effort: none of it is free. We’ve done it for many years, and have never taken a cent. And we’ve never been funded by anyone but ourselves. Everything was built from the ground up. But all of this comes at a cost of burning ourselves out. It’s getting harder every year. 

Your subscription will make sure our creators are paid to continue their work around Australian basketball and our talented athletes - those same authentic voices you’re so familiar with, coupled with editorial integrity.

Basketball isn’t receiving enough coverage in Australia, and we will do our part to grow the landscape, like what we’ve done all these years. We’re reliant on your subscriptions to make things work. But that’s fine, because we know you’re there: we’re all in this together. 

Join us, and let’s make Aussie hoops better. 

(Ready to represent? Don’t forget to grab some cool merch on our online shop.)

About us

Just like the offensive play it was named after, The Pick and Roll aims to be simple, yet effective. We’re about the wildly passionate fans. The ones who bleed green and gold. The folks who live, eat and sleep Australian basketball. Those who have nightmares about that foul in Rio, and cried tears of joy as Tokyo yielded a historical bronze, and are cheering for the next. The ones who fly the flag proudly, the ones that cheer for our boys and girls, our men and women all over the world.

We’re all about you.


The Pick and Roll was founded in 2013.

Co-founders, editors: Kein Chua, Damian Arsenis

Team: Regular writers

Branding: Tony McLachlan

Affiliated photographers: Russell Freeman, Jacob Crook, Michelle Couling, May Bailey

We are credentialed across various basketball leagues and organisations, including the NBA/WNBA, FIBA, NBL, WNBL, NBL1, and have relationships with agencies and brands in the industry.

Our vision

To be the most trusted source for all things Australian basketball and a leader in nurturing the sport across all levels.

Our mission

We are committed to providing accurate, relevant and timely coverage of Australian basketball to help promote and educate the public. We do this through providing a platform for everyone.

Since 2013, The Pick and Roll has been the springboard for budding writers to develop their talent and find opportunities.

FAQ

How much does it cost to subscribe?

It’s A$10 a month, and A$100 for the year.

What do I get as a subscriber?

One free story per week to folks on our public list.

For the super amazing people who are paying subscribers: three subscriber-only stories (at least!) every week.

(You also get a ton of good karma for keeping our writers doing what they love.)

I’m concerned about credit card security: how safe is this?

The Pick and Roll now runs on Substack, which uses Stripe as a payments provider. 

Stripe has been audited by a PCI-certified auditor and is certified to PCI Service Provider Level 1, which is the most stringent level of certification available in the payments industry. They also have an entire section of their documentation dedicated to security, if you are keen on finding out more.

I’m not in the right place to subscribe just yet. Can I just buy you guys a coffee or something?

Sounds good, we appreciate the positive vibes. Our Buy Me a Coffee link is here. Thank you!

Can I forward the emails?

Please feel free to share our free content as often as you like. Occasionally forwarding our subscriber-only stories is fine too.

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We're all about Aussie hoops. Independent, objective analysis and commentary. Insightful narratives built around Australian basketball. Read about our men and women in the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, Europe, national teams, NBL, WNBL, NBL1, prospects and more.

People

Co-Founder. WNBL & NBL1 play-by-play caller. My words, my opinion.
📩 benjiman.mallis@gmail.com.
Tasmanian born and bred, long-time NBA fan and recent NBL convert. Covering the NBL with The Pick and Roll since 2019.
twitter.com/therealayushg
NBL writer.
Specialising in women's basketball, long form interviews and an inability to complete lists.
I like basketball
I started at The Pick and Roll before leading Australian basketball coverage at ESPN Australia/NZ. Now back in my roots! Love a good story.
Co-founder, editor. Be the change you want to see.
Shining a light on Aussie women's hoops. Boston Celtics tragic and passionate defender of Rajon Rondo's greatness.
A basketball tragic who has cried multiple times with joy and sadness while watching the Boomers. Twitter: @mhickey23
Passionate advocate of Australian hoops all the way from grassroots to the NBA.
Sydney journalist and author. Women's basketball watcher. Former social basketball chucker. San Antonio Spurs true believer.
Adelaide Lightning 2020-2022, TJ Prentice Media/SA Cross Over Dribble specialising in South Australian Basketball, started at Adelaide 36ers in 2015 and represented AAP, SACBA, SA Church Stars, NBL1 Central and Basketball SA in many roles.
Versatile glue-guy. Can write it a little, can also get hot and produce videos in patches. Definitely can't stretch the floor though.