Uncle Drew
What is uncle drew?
Key facts
Uncle Drew is a fictional streetball legend created for Pepsi Max ads in 2012 and played by Kyrie Irving, later starring in the 2018 sports comedy film of the same name.
Context
Uncle Drew started as a character in Pepsi Max commercials that began in 2012, played by Kyrie Irving [1]. The 2018 film follows Dax, a sneaker salesman, who recruits Uncle Drew and his old squad for a Harlem streetball tournament [2]. The character is a streetball legend who vanished after missing the 1968 Rucker finals [1].
Documented claims
- The film is set around a streetball tournament in Harlem. [2]
- The plot involves a hard-luck sneaker salesman named Dax who seeks help from Uncle Drew and his old basketball squad. [2]
- The cast includes former NBA players Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, and Nate Robinson, plus former WNBA player Lisa Leslie. [1]
- Uncle Drew is described as a streetball legend who disappeared after missing the finals of the 1968 Rucker. [1]
Questions and answers
Why is Kyrie called Uncle Drew?
Kyrie Irving plays the title character Uncle Drew, a fictional streetball legend, in Pepsi Max ads and the 2018 film [1].
Is Uncle Drew a true story?
No, Uncle Drew is a fictional character created for advertising, not based on a real person [1].
What NBA players were in Uncle Drew?
The film features former NBA players Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, and Nate Robinson, along with former WNBA player Lisa Leslie [1].
Sources
- What You Can Learn From “Uncle Drew” | Jackie Bledsoe — jackiebledsoe.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- 7 Things Parents Should Know about Uncle Drew — crosswalk.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)