Social Media sensations SBB (Simply British Ballers) on Canterbury concrete, rating the world’s basketball courts and meeting LeBron

It started in Canterbury. In the midst of the pandemic, two basketball fans took to their local court to create a digital community for fans of the sport.

And while Simply British Ballers, SBB (@sbb_uk) as they are now known, have gone international - from filming with NBA stars to partnerships with trainer companies - it all began with the seed of an idea… rating local basketball courts and their facilities. Anyone who knows ball knows that the UK is somewhat behind other countries in its court offering (though it is getting better, slowly).

Denzel Kazembe and Behrad Bakhtiari, who were both studying at the University of Kent at the time, were inspired by the online celebrity chicken-shop reviewer Chicken Connoisseur, but instead of flavour and crispiness they were looking for rims, backboards and, hopefully, some tarmac.

Uploading their first reviews to social media, the pair hit the jackpot with basketball fans from across the country and beyond interacting and engaging with their content. Two years on, they’ve accrued 675k followers on TikTok and almost 20k on Instagram, with tens of millions of views. From grass-covered courts and broken hoops in the backwaters of the UK to an NBA All-Star game in Utah, the pair have come a long way. Their influence has seen local courts upgraded and a connection with a vibrant online basketball community has also seen new, young players start up. We caught up with Denzel and Behrad to find out more.

Why did you start SBB?

BB: This is an extremely good question and it’s not a simple answer by any means. We always recognised that the UK was behind other countries when it came to basketball. We played at a high enough level to see there wasn’t a clear path or direction to make to the NBA. I was making NBA 2K content on YouTube with the intention of one day diversifying to real-life basketball UK content. Denz had an idea of rating basketball courts to help promote my YouTube channel. We went out and shot a few TikToks - we didn’t even have the app downloaded and didn’t know how to use it. We rated our local courts and posted them. A couple hours later, we were all on a call and had checked the videos and they all had got crazy views, with hundreds of comments saying to go to their local court. So then we knew we had a bunch of disconnected basketball communities spread out throughout the UK. We then set out to try to reach all these communities and through our content we hope to connect them.

Did you ever imagine you’d have the impact you have had online?

BB: Honestly no, it has truly been such an incredible journey and we are thankful every day for the support and love we receive. We always say it, but SBB are not just me and Denz - it’s all of us, every single hooper in the UK. We hope we can continue to inspire and motivate and use our platform to impact the youth for generations to come.

You are already an established name in the international basketball scene - have you set your sights on further goals?

BB: Our goals have always been within the UK because our passion and love for basketball has always been here. With the growth of SBB, however, it has provided us with some incredible opportunities to explore other countries and see what their basketball culture is like. We are super-keen to keep exploring and learning more so we can bring the knowledge back to the UK. What was once our goal to rate every court in the UK has now changed to rate every court in the world. In saying all this, the UK is our home. We always have and always will focus on the UK but recognise the importance of international impact.

What has been your favourite experience of doing SBB so far?

DK: My favourite experience was, one day early on, I believe we went to Hythe in Kent looking for courts. We ended up finishing the courts in that area and lying on the beach [a stone beach] listening to Closer by Goapele and taking everything in and envisioning where we could take SBB.

BB: Wow, there are honestly so many and I always say it, but this journey has truly been such a blessing and I don’t take it for granted at all. Forever grateful and thankful for all the experiences we have had and for the ones we will continue to have. There are some experiences I will always cherish. For instance, the NBA All-Star Game, NBA Paris Game, Quai 54 and exploring the courts in countries such as Denmark and Poland. However, what will always be the best experience is when we meet our followers and members of our community. Seeing the impact we have and the inspiration we provide is such a humbling, incredible experience.

What has been your favourite court so far and why?

BB: For me it will always be part 6 of our Rating Basketball series on TikTok – Connor’s Court in Rottingdean. It was our first proper journey away from Kent, where we started. I remember it like it was yesterday - we just got in the car, went to the court and I was literally speechless with it. Not the best or most practical court, but the scenery alongside the sentimental value it holds really makes it my favourite. I remember watching that video 1,000 times over.

DK: I can’t say I have a clear favourite - I would say the one I’ve enjoyed spending time on the most is Connor’s Court on Rottingdean beach because it’s right by the water and is honestly just very calming.

What’s been your ‘Living the Dream’ moment, where you’ve reflected on what you’re doing and said ‘Wow, this is actually our job’?

BB: Has to be the All-Star Game 2023 in Utah. We were working with the NBA out there and had access to some of the greatest NBA players in the world. Not only did we interview them and dap them but we were able to chop it up with them. I’m the biggest NBA fan - grew up being so addicted to it. And once LeBron stepped into the interview room and he was only a couple feet away from me, that’s when I was like ‘Wow, I’m truly, truly, truly so blessed’.

DK: We have those every other day, to be honest. It still doesn’t make much sense, but we’re enjoying it - the most recent one might’ve been out in Poland, though, as none of us could’ve anticipated that trip.

While we’re talking about dream jobs, how did you get into reviewing trainers and sneakers as part of SBB?

BB: Funny story, actually - one of the first interactions me and Denz ever had was to do with shoes. He was wearing the university blue Nike Air Max Uptempos and I was wearing the University Blue Foamposites. We have always been massive sneaker heads and it was one of the first things that connected the both of us. Now with SBB we have been very fortunate and blessed to work with the largest shoe companies in the world and have been able to bring our love with shoes to reality.

DK: Our friendship basically started on trainers, that’s how we grew closer as friends initially. We all grew up watching the same sneaker reviews channels, so it felt natural turning that leaf.

You mentioned that you’re launching your own clothing range. What should we expect and when are we likely to see it?

DK: Yes, we are! All I can say on what to expect is a big focus on hooping - everything will be made with the question ‘Can we hoop in this?’.

We want to build an identity for UK basketball and show it through our clothing.

Would you give it all up to be a professional basketball player?

BB: Honestly speaking, if you had asked me this six months ago it would have 1,000% been a yes. I love everything about the pro lifestyle - the training, working out, the dedication to nutrition. But given the circumstances with SBB now and the impact we hope to have for future generations in terms of British basketball I’m no longer sure.

DK: At this point, no. But there was a time when that was the only thought in my head - not just pro but going to the NBA. Which I gave up on years before SBB, so it’s something I’ve honestly given up on and come to terms with, but I do love basketball, so I’m blessed to still be able to do it in some capacity.

I’d be lying if I said I don’t watch professional games and wonder where I could’ve been if I had continued.