No Dunks The Drop | Leigh Ellis Returns To Talk Traveling, Basketball & Life
Jan 16, 2026
Leigh Ellis, an Australian basketball traveler and creator of 'Lee's Basketball Passport,' returns to share his globe-trotting hoop adventures. He discusses his ambitious goal of playing 20 games in 20 countries and highlights memorable spots like the Emoja Court in Kenya and a unique cooling tower in Beijing. The conversation veers into NBA topics, from Jonathan Kuminga's trade demand to standout performances this season, all while reflecting on the essence of basketball culture worldwide.
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From 20-in-20 To Basketball Passport
- Leigh Ellis completed his 20-in-20 countries challenge in 14 months and then rebranded to a broader "Basketball Passport" project.
- He aims to turn his travel and pickup footage into a documentary-style series for streaming platforms.
Rucker-Style Night In Nairobi
- Ellis ranked his top five countries and described the Nairobi Rucker-style court experience organized by Giants of Africa.
- He highlights the physical pickup play and the community clinic atmosphere in Kenya.
Big Turnout On Ginobili Court
- Ellis described a huge post-Christmas tournament turnout in Buenos Aires on the Ginobili court organized by local contacts.
- He emphasizes unpredictable crowd sizes and deep local basketball culture in Argentina.