The Last Word On The Year Of The Quirked-Up White Boy

…That won’t stop giving. Based on a book that hadn’t hit the bestseller list until the show came out, for an audience of only four million on a small Canadian streaming site, the show has completely melted expectations. Thanks to its stars. And, apparently, their butts.  

Earlier this week, we submitted our 2025 Love Stories Of The Year, and perhaps feeling jilted by their omission, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods dropped some very marry news shortly after the Knicks’ Christmas Day win over the Cavs. In my defense, I will add that I did have KAT in my top 10 list of Wife Guys!

We used to be a proper country (league). We used to get special NCA Christmas Day uniforms (thank you, Adidas). Now, we’re left yearning for the a return to tradition. Basketball Feelings makes the case for Nike to bring them back. 

And in a candid post on her Substack, ‘Finding Claire-ity,’ tennis player Claire Liu is channeling Kylie Jenner and reflecting on how 2025 was a year of realizing stuff. Like going separate ways with her longtime coach. Drama!!

How many times do I need to tell you to watch AFCON? Because I’ll do it again. And again. And again. So will they. 

I saw ‘Marty Supreme’ last weekend and, obviously, was reminded of the Quirked-Up White Boy newsletter we did at the start of the NBA season. Because Timmy C was the original QUWB, and thanks to his press tour, he’s only become even more of THE spokesperson for the QUWB movement. 

In the film, he does a lot of running his mouth, and just regular running (both being key symptoms of QUWB syndrome). He’s wooing the girlies, he’s pissing off the suits, he’s hustling. Minor spoiler alert, but at one point, he gets so mad during a ping pong match that he throws the basket that holds all the towels. Couldn’t you see Tyler Herro doing that?? (Also not QUWB related, but I wish someone had forewarned me there’s a part where a dog gets hurt. Now you know.) 

My list included a definitive ranking — although we discussed a power ranking, which I’ll officially revisit in a few weeks. But the top five then were Alex Caruso, TJ McConnell, Chet Holmgren, Donte DiVincenzo, and Brandin Podziemski. I’d say this list has mostly held firm, although you could maybe argue Brandin hasn’t been as quirked-up as in past days (but that could be because the WNBA isn’t in season). 

The only possible questions that still remain are: 

1. Is Austin Reaves quirked-up?? Originally, I had said yes, but I also changed my mind when I found out he listens to country music and plays golf. More evidence here, where Austin says he didn’t talk his rookie year.    

2. Should Tyler Kolek officially be considered for nomination? Not only because he’s been playing well, and maybe starting for the first time, but also because I remembered the joke about how he couldn’t read in college. And I saw him make fun of himself here on The Roommates Show. 

3. And finally, what of Collin Gillespie? Initially, it was a no, but the way he commanded this social shoot really has me second-guessing. 

Much to consider. Thanks for taking a trip down Memory Lane with me this week. We’ll be back next week for some more special newsletters.