In a bold move to redefine basketball fandom for the digital age, NBA champion Tristan Thompson is partnering with Improbable CEO Herman Narula and co-founder Hadi Teherany to launch ‘basketball.fun’—a new Web3 platform aimed at gamifying the fan experience. Set to debut in October, just in time for the NBA season, the platform promises to transform how fans interact with their favorite players and games.
A New Era of Fan Interaction
At the heart of ‘basketball.fun’ is a revolutionary concept: tokenized NBA players. Unlike traditional fantasy sports or fan tokens, the platform will allow fans to engage with players in a dynamic new way. Player values will fluctuate in real-time, based on both sentiment and on-court performance. This allows fans to assemble rosters, speculate on rising talent, and earn rewards tied to their predictions and engagement. As Teherany explained in an interview with CoinDesk, “The way fans value and perceive players should be different than owners and news networks. We’re trying to give power back to the fan.”
Tristan Thompson emphasized the broader scope of the project. “This is how we experience moments together, it’s not just about basketball,” he said in a press release. “We’re creating something for the fans that lives beyond the game, where your presence, passion, and play actually matter.”
Why Somnia?
Choosing Somnia as the blockchain foundation for this ambitious project was a decision rooted in both relationship and philosophy. Teherany highlighted the alignment of vision with Improbable’s Herman Narula. “He’s not chasing short-term token hype but is committed to building sports and entertainment on-chain for the long term,” Teherany said. This partnership marks a departure from previous projects that were overly reliant on token performance, such as TracyAI.
Somnia, which went live at the start of this month, is already making waves with its technical prowess. Built by UK-based metaverse company Improbable, the network aims to be the fastest EVM-compatible chain, boasting the capability to handle over one million transactions per second with sub-second finality. With 60 validators onboard, including industry giants like Google Cloud, Somnia has integrated with protocols such as LayerZero, Sequence, and Thirdweb. Its native token, SOMI, has nearly doubled in value since its launch, further adding to its credibility.
Technical Edge and Community Impact
Somnia’s impressive stats speak for themselves. The network processed over 10 billion transactions during its six-month testnet phase and onboarded 118 million wallets. Since its official launch on September 2, it’s been processing billions in daily volume. For Teherany, these numbers aren’t just impressive—they’re a testament to the infrastructure’s potential. “They’ve done billions in daily volume, bigger than some of the major exchanges. That’s a testament to what they’re building—and what we’re building on top of it,” he stated.
This focus on infrastructure and sustainability is a key differentiator for ‘basketball.fun’. Unlike other projects that hinge on token price, the platform will not launch with a native token. Instead, player values will reflect fan sentiment and game outcomes, making it more accessible and less speculative.
Road to Tip-Off
The first major reveal of the project is scheduled for Korea Blockchain Week. Here, Thompson, Narula, and Teherany will present their vision, offering attendees a sneak peek at the app and its roadmap. Those attending Somnia House, the network’s flagship side event in Seoul on September 23, will have the opportunity to get an early look at what’s to come.
Teherany emphasized the importance of making the platform approachable. “The blockchain layer should feel invisible. Whether you’re a crypto native or just a basketball fan, you’ll be able to join, play, and help define the narrative of the sport,” he explained.
Balancing Innovation with Accessibility
While the excitement around ‘basketball.fun’ is palpable, the team remains focused on balancing innovation with accessibility. By leveraging the unique capabilities of Somnia and emphasizing a fan-centric approach, the platform hopes to set a new standard for how sports fandom is experienced in the digital age. It’s a bold vision, but one that aligns with the broader trend of integrating blockchain technology into everyday experiences.
As the countdown to the NBA season continues, all eyes will be on ‘basketball.fun’ to see if it can truly deliver on its promise of reinventing basketball fandom for the digital era. With its innovative approach and strong foundation, it’s poised to make a significant impact, not just in the world of basketball, but in the broader landscape of sports and entertainment.
Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
