Blacktop Tales | Season 3 | Episode 6 | JayDee Dyer | 'Under the Bridge' – Camden
Camden. Once known for its authenticity and edge, it had an identity as distinct as a familiar smell — one that permeated the market stalls, the music scene, and the hard-working mindset of the locals. These days, that identity’s been rebranded, repackaged, and sold to naive tourists, tricked into thinking they’ve caught a glimpse of the ‘real’ London. Harsh analysis, I know — but it makes the point. Authenticity is hard to replicate. Like the bootleg traps that litter the high street, poor imitations rarely fool those who recognise real — they only catch the eyes of temporary visitors, and just for a moment.
A few streets away from the chaos of Camden Town, drifters following the thread of the overground railway line might find themselves on Castlehaven Road — where, bolted to the underbelly of the railway bridge, hangs a quiet basketball hoop — the kind you only find if you’re not really looking. Far from premium, the thin backboard is bolted flush to the wall and looks out of place away from a domestic setting. It sparks gentle curiosity — inviting questions about who it belongs to, and whether it’s even meant to be used.
It’s in these overlooked places where JayDee Dyer thrives — finding perspectives that resonate with authenticity and connect equally with those giving answers and those listening.
Like the hidden hoop, his work often uncovers what could easily be missed, shedding light on the stories beneath the surface.
I first became familiar with JayDee’s work as a presenter and broadcaster during his 5-season tenure with Sky Sports, and later, while watching NBA games on the BBC. The network held rights to air regular Sunday night games throughout the season and featured a team of pundits relevant to the British scene. Within the smooth studio setting — sharp transitions and polished production — it was easy to overlook the path that brought him there, to assume he’d always belonged in that space. In reality, his journey began in a different sport: football.
Born and raised in Enfield, JayDee grew up playing football at a high level — quickly becoming entrenched in the world of youth athletics and the pressure that came with it. While football naturally took centre stage due to his talent, he was gifted across multiple sports — and it was basketball he identified with most. Between witnessing the greatness of Tracy McGrady on a family trip to Orlando and experiencing basketball in its purest form while visiting his sisters in NYC, basketball became his firm favourite.
“Basketball has always been where I felt free. There’s something therapeutic about it — it’s your own personal journey.
It doesn’t matter what you’re working on — your jump shot, your form, your handle, your passing, your IQ — whatever it is, it’s still your journey.”
This journey of self-improvement and preparation has played a key role in bringing JayDee to where he is today. He had ambitions of a broadcasting career from a young age, and while still chasing success on the football pitch — playing for clubs like Northampton Town, Crystal Palace, and Reading — it was basketball pundits like Kevin Cadle and Stephen A. Smith who inspired him. When his football journey eventually came to an end, he went full steam ahead to turn his broadcasting dreams into reality.
"Basketball has always been where I felt free. There’s something therapeutic about it"
This journey of self-improvement and preparation has played a key role in bringing JayDee to where he is today. He had ambitions of a broadcasting career from a young age, and while still chasing success on the football pitch — playing for clubs like Northampton Town, Crystal Palace, and Reading — it was basketball pundits like Kevin Cadle and Stephen A. Smith who inspired him. When his football journey eventually came to an end, he went full steam ahead to turn his broadcasting dreams into reality.
Mapping out a clear path, he studied for a year in Coventry — gaining a high enough GPA to obtain a scholarship to continue his broadcasting degree in Arizona, USA, where he later gained a position on a local TV network. He immersed himself in hard work and committed to authenticity. Where he had previously been enslaved to football, he now gave his all to basketball. He learned the game’s strategy, terminology, and nuances. Drawing from his own experiences on the blacktop — whether in Hackney, where he spent much of his teenage years, or from the bumps and scrapes playing pickup in NYC — he strived for authenticity and excellence.
He also thrived under the pressure of live TV and of speaking to some of the sports world’s most revered athletes.
"What I enjoy most about sports is the pressure — I live for it. I love the big moments, the finals, the intensity."
“What I enjoy most about sports is the pressure — I live for it. I love the big moments, the finals, the intensity. I never really felt like I underperformed in high-pressure situations. If anything, I was more complacent in the games I was expected to win. But the tougher the opponent, the better I played. Over time, I learned to turn that nervous energy into something positive — and I carried that into broadcasting. Because every time the camera goes on, there’s pressure.”
JayDee returned to the UK to complete a master’s degree at Cardiff University, a move that ultimately led to roles at Sky Sports, TNT, and the BBC. Perhaps most notably, he covered the Paris Olympics 2024 and spoke courtside with the likes of A'ja Wilson, Diana Taurasi, and the king himself — LeBron James. Other notable interviews include Allen Iverson and Thierry Henry — each conversation exuding a chemistry and response from those athletes that can only come from preparation.
"I don’t just ask questions that are all good vibes and good energy But I try to ask something that makes the athlete — or whoever I’m speaking to — stop and think."
“I don’t just ask questions that are all good vibes and good energy — you see a lot of that online. People want quick, easy content that feels nice. But I try to ask something that makes the athlete — or whoever I’m speaking to — stop and think. How do you get someone to break out of the routine, to step away from the rehearsed answers they give journalists or broadcasters every day, and actually reflect?”
Preparation and hard work pay off. Perhaps JayDee’s biggest opportunity yet comes from Amazon Prime, which recently gained a license to stream NBA games starting from the 2025–26 season. As we spoke, he was packing up and preparing to move to NYC, where he’ll be joining this worldwide platform to cover NBA games and proudly represent the UK as he does so. In addition, he’ll also be working with CBS Sports covering football. During our shoot, he wore shades due to recent (and serious) eye surgery following an incident that caused him to lose his sight during a live broadcast. His journey has been far from easy — nothing has been given that hasn’t been earned, and the setbacks — both large and small — have left him undeterred.
Much like the hidden hoop tucked away under a quiet Camden bridge, JayDee’s path hasn’t always been obvious. But the signs were there — in the unseen preparation, the quiet work that doesn’t always make the highlight reel — if you knew where to look.
Under the bridge in Camden, JayDee Dyer is rocking the A'One 'OG Pearl.' He describes the shoe as one of the best performance shoes available right now. “I’m always going to be supporting women in sport, first of all. And then I’m always going to try to support people that are true to who they are — and A'Ja Wilson is one of the best players in the world.”
The A'One is available now in store at BounceWear London and online at bouncewear.co.uk
