Vince Chang didn’t believe it at first. When a colleague texted him, "Congrats, Emmy Award winner," his reply was instant:
"Shut the hell up. I ain’t no damn Emmy Award winner."
It took a screenshot of his name on the official list for ‘Outstanding Live Special, Sports Emmys 2024–2025’ and a confirmation from his boss for the reality to sink in.
"I literally thought it was fake," Chang recalls. "Then I FaceTimed my mom, my brother, and my sister, opened the box with the Emmy right in front of them. My family was so proud… but I still haven’t really celebrated."
For a man who’s made his name bringing high-voltage energy to basketball courts around the world, this win was a quieter, more reflective moment. Yet the through-line from FIBA 3x3 to an Emmy is clear: the same infectious personality that can turn a crowd of strangers into a roaring fan section has now earned him a place among sports broadcasting’s elite.
An Accidental Entry into 3x3
Chang’s journey to the half-court wasn’t a straight path. He started as a stand-up comic in New York, hosting shows and working rooms with quick wit and bigger-than-life energy. And then as sudden as lightning strikes, a random LinkedIn message about a new form of basketball called 3x3 changed everything.
"I thought it was spam," he recalls with amusement. "But something told me to reply. Next thing I know, I’m in Milpitas, California, meeting Kyle Montgomery, The Professor, and all these legends. First day I was nervous, second day I was climbing into the crowd, giving out prizes, just being me. And that’s when I felt it — this is where I belong."
That belonging was powerful. "In 3x3, I could be my unfiltered self. No one was telling me I was ‘too much.’ They were telling me, ‘We need your energy.’"
From Courtside Hype to Emmy-Winning Role
While Chang is best known in FIBA circles for hyping up crowds, his Emmy came from a very different gig: serving as a statistician and researcher for NBC’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games 3x3 coverage.
The role came via a referral from a former player, Zahir Carrington.
"He said, ‘I think you would be a better fit,’" Vince recalls. "That’s how a lot of my career has happened, with someone thinking I could represent them well."
At NBC, Chang wasn’t just feeding stats to commentators Kyle Montgomery and Krista Blunk. He was crafting storylines.
"It’s not just numbers; it’s about creating heroes,” Chang said. “You want to know where a player grew up, what they’ve overcome, what makes them special. And because I already had relationships with these players, I could get those nuggets no one else could."
Inside the NBC broadcast center, Chang found himself part of what he calls "a symphony." Hundreds of people, each laser-focused on their role, making live TV happen with military precision.
"You joke one second, then the producer says ‘We’re live,’ and boom — everyone locks in. I thought, ‘I want to be part of this machine forever.’"
The 3x3 Connection
Ask Chang, and he’ll tell you straight: "I wouldn’t have this Emmy without FIBA 3x3."
The sport didn’t just give him a stage; it shaped his approach to sports storytelling.
"3x3 is a party," he says. "It’s streetball with a whistle. I don’t need a mic to hype the crowd. I can be dancing courtside and people will respond. In Egypt, I learned something huge: it’s not about what you say, it’s who you are. Most of the crowd didn’t even speak English, but they felt my vibe."
Those moments, from Puerto Rico’s outdoor mall finals to his 33rd birthday surprise at the Africa Cup, are what keep him coming back. "When you get a cartouche with your name in hieroglyphics from the people you’ve been entertaining all weekend… man, that’s love."
One Letter Down, Three to Go
Chang jokes that his Emmy is "one letter down, three to go" on the road to an EGOT (i.e., Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). But he treats the trophy like a newborn.
"People want me to take it to bars, pour beer on it. No way. Maybe I’ll bring it to a FIBA 3x3 event if they ask, with insurance!”
The win hasn’t changed his day-to-day yet, but it’s deepened his resolve.
"It’s confirmation I’m doing something right,” he said. “Awards are checkpoints. Every top of a mountain is the bottom of another."
For now, he’s got weddings to emcee, a FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup in Leon, Mexico to prepare for, and an open invitation to wherever 3x3 needs him. If you’re lucky enough to catch him courtside, you’ll see exactly why he got here: because Vince Chang never stops bringing the energy, whether it’s to a sunbaked half-court in Edmonton or a control room at the Olympic Games.
FIBA