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Cleats & Sneaks spotlights American basketball and soccer players competing across the globe — and brings international stories in those sports to U.S.

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How Being Dynamic Took Ife Ajayi to the European Pros (Part 3) 🏀😎 09/04/2026

Part 3 of the Cleats & Sneaks interview with pro hooper Ife Ajayi is out! In this section of the interview, Ife, who is playing in Italy this season, talks about how being a "dynamic" player and rebuilding his jump shot led to him becoming a pro.
The Californian also touches on what it was like to begin his pro career during the height of the COVI-19 pandemic.
Please watch, comment, and subscribe!


How Being Dynamic Took Ife Ajayi to the European Pros (Part 3) 🏀😎 Part 3 of the Cleats & Sneaks interview with Ife Ajayi dives into t...

09/03/2026

Ife Ajayi shares the truth behind becoming a pro hooper:
blood, sweat, tears, discipline, and sacrificing time with friends and family.
People see the glamour — not the grind.
His high school coach taught him the work ethic that helped him maximize every opportunity. Watch the full interview on the Cleats & Sneaks YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/

09/02/2026

Stacy Davis asked Ife Ajayi:
“Who’s the best player you’ve played against in A2… and why is it Stacy Davis?” 😂🏀
See Ife's full response on the Cleats & Sneaks YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/pBVaUBs_QFo

TikTok · CleatsSneaks 09/02/2026

Cleats & Sneaks is on TikTok. If you are as well, please give us a follow.

TikTok · CleatsSneaks TikTok | Make Your Day

09/01/2026

Ife Ajayi says Italy has been the most pleasant surprise of his overseas career — great living, great basketball, and his best season yet.
Turkey was good too, but being the only Black person in his small town was a culture shock.
He’s now preparing for a new season with Pistoia Basket 2000 in Italy.
See more of the interview on the Cleats & Sneaks YouTube page and subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/

Julia Quinonez: “I’m a Football Player… I’m Crafty.” (Part 6) 08/31/2026

Pepperdine Waves standout forward Julia Quinonez goes deep into her soccer skills and goal-scoring moves in this section of her interview with Cleats & Sneaks. Please check it out and subscribe to our new YouTube channel.

Julia Quinonez: “I’m a Football Player… I’m Crafty.” (Part 6) In Part 6 of our Cleats & Sneaks interview, Pepperdine’s Julia Quin...

08/30/2026

Pro basketball playaer Ife Ajayi says he first dunked in 6th or 7th grade at 6'3–6'4, then grew to 6'6 in high school — but still isn’t considered tall in the basketball world 😂
Jimmy ends the clip with: “Wemby.”
Both: “That’s tall.”

Watch the full interview on the Cleats & Sneaks YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/

08/29/2026

Pepperdine Waves forword Julia Quinonez explains why she chose Pepperdine over the University of Michigan. Growing up in Southern California, Malibu instantly felt like home — the location, the vibe, and the coaching staff all clicked.

But during her Michigan visit, she happened to arrive in the middle of a snowstorm. “Wait… they do sports here?” she joked. Julia still gives credit to Michigan’s coaches and athletic facilities, saying the campus is beautiful — especially in the spring — but Pepperdine was the perfect fit.

A SoCal player choosing a SoCal dream school.

Watch the full interview on the Cleats & Sneaks YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com//videos

www.youtube.com 08/28/2026

Part 2 of our Cleats & Sneaks interview with pro hooper Ife Ajayi is now live!
Ife opens up about the Nigerian mindset of hard work — the determination, motivation, and community support that pushed him from Abuja to El Monte to South Alabama and now to the pro level in Europe.
Ife, who will play this season in Italy, also describes his multi-sport background which includes soccer and volleyball.
Watch Par 2 now on the Cleats & Sneaks YouTube page: https://youtu.be/xQSg8zJGemI?si=-FHOb9F5sxelZupW

McKenzie Jackson Pistoia Basket 2000

www.youtube.com

08/26/2026

Ife Ajayi breaks down his favorite Nigerian dishes — fufu & egusi stew, jollof, and even plantains he ate right before the interview.
He says finding Nigerian food was easy in Lyon, France, but tough in smaller European towns.
Part 1 of the Cleats & Sneaks interview is here: https://youtu.be/pp2TsvDrtzo

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