FreeStyle: A hand-painted Artist Edition
This one-of-a-kind artist edition, titled "Ball Up Top," is a meme culture-inspired basketball and artistic expression custom-made by Nicky Chulo in collaboration with Round21. The piece reimagines iconic memes and reactions through a fresh visual lens, transforming the language of basketball culture into wearable art. We are thrilled to be working with Nicky Chulo, a talented artist born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Northern Virginia.
STORY:
This basketball transforms iconic memes into visual art across its surface. The design is a reinterpretation of memes, featuring expressions every hooper knows—the shock, the celebration, the "did that just happen?" moments—reimagined through a fresh artistic lens. These reinterpreted reactions wrap around the ball, flowing together as it spins to mirror the game's energy. It captures the unfiltered culture of basketball beyond just the plays. This ball speaks the language every player understands without words.
THE ARTIST:
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Northern Virginia, Nicholas draws his inspiration from graffiti, Saturday morning cartoons, and video games alike. Not the subject matter, but the essence of rebellion and pure unfiltered expression. What was once seen as a window to another world has now become his mirror. Nicholas went to Northern Virginia Community College, where he studied his foundations in art. He then went on to Savannah College of Art & Design to rigorously study Graphic Design.
Finding early success in the music industry as a two time GRAMMY® award winning Graphic Designer & Art Director, Nicholas has returned to his roots creating for expression by way of prints, paintings, and object making.
THE DETAILS:
- Hand-painted—A TRUE 1-OF-1 ORIGINAL
- Versatile and durable composite leather cover
- Excellent air retention & true rebound
- Designed for both indoor and outdoor play
- Official size (29.5) and weight
Supports Local Artists
Handmade 1-of-1
Why art?
Why art?
Round21 is dedicated to the arts and we use it as fuel to drive more self-expression in sports. Think of it like this: art opens your mind, and sports unite us. Together, this is round21's mission and we're excited for you to be part of our journey.
Shipping and More
Shipping and More
Receive free standard shipping storewide when you spend over $200 site wide. We ship worldwide via USPS, FedEx and UPS. Delivery times are 4-5 days within the United States.
Round21 is committed to delivering high quality products to our community and we want you to be 100% happy with your online purchase.
We offer full refunds or store credit within 15 days if the product does not meet quality standards or if you change your mind.
Nicky Chulo
