Meet the Star of Nike’s NBA Knicks Championship Ad

Key Points:

• Chiki Uno, a 31-year-old Bronx model and former dancer, became the iconic face of the New York Knicks’ NBA championship celebration through a Nike ad directed by Josh Safdie, which aired immediately after the Knicks' victory on June 13.
• The ad features Uno sprinting and cartwheeling through New York City streets to join jubilant Knicks fans, perfectly capturing the elation of long-suffering Knicks supporters and marking a significant turning point in Uno’s career.
• Despite no prior acting experience, Uno was cast after a chance encounter with Safdie, and the ad’s success has brought him widespread recognition, free drinks, and a newfound sense of confidence, even embracing his distinctive gap-toothed smile as a symbol of overcoming adversity.
• The production was a large-scale effort involving hundreds of extras and took place just days before the Knicks’ first championship game, with Uno performing physically demanding scenes that led to a sprained ankle and wrist during filming.
• Uno expressed hope to participate in the Knicks’ championship parade and sees himself as an honorary team mascot, embodying the spirit of New York City and inspiring others to believe anything is possible.