David Rushing is Shaping the Basketball Conversation on Threads

There are people who love basketball, and then there’s David Rushing, aka @yorush.

Born in Northern Virginia and raised in Union County, North Carolina, David’s first love was soccer. But everything changed during a family trip in 1998 when he caught a legendary basketball playoff matchup on TV. The game’s energy, physicality, and artistry drew him in, marking the beginning of a lifelong passion for basketball. From that moment, the sport became more than just entertainment—it became a way of life.

If you take one look at his profile on Threads, it’s a haven of clips, takes, information, and excitement about the sport. It’s so comprehensive that he was dubbed the Mayor of Basketball Threads (we’re sure he’d win the vote if it ever came to a true contest).

His journey on Threads began as a search for a new social media platform where he could truly connect and engage with a like-minded community. What started as a personal exploration quickly evolved into a thriving, dynamic basketball community. Suddenly appointment viewing became appointment posting, and before he knew it, Rush was in the center of basketball conversation (as Mayors tend to be).

The basketball community on Threads abounds with characters and perspectives. It feels like the best part of sitting courtside or arguing with your friends after a game. It’s a place where fans of all teams come together, sharing hot takes, wild predictions, and a mutual love for the game. David’s voice has been a standout, not just for his knowledge of the sport but for the way he welcomes everyone into the discussion. Threads has become a platform where it’s easy to dive into spirited debates without getting too toxic—a rare feat for online sports talk.

Beyond Threads, David Rushing takes his insights and humor to Rush'd Vibe, a podcast he co-hosts with his wife, Jess Rushing. Together, they dive into everything from pop culture and family life to social media hot takes—including stories from his time on Threads. Their dynamic and relatable conversations give listeners a deeper look into the man, offering fresh perspectives that extend beyond sports. David sat down with us to talk about building community on Threads, his approach to basketball commentary, and what it’s all meant to him.

This interview has been condensed for clarity.

First things first, I have to ask: how long did it take you to get used to the moniker of "The Mayor of Basketball Threads"?

I’ll be honest, man, I’m still not really all the way comfortable with it. Not because it’s corny or because I don’t like it. When I got the nickname, I didn’t really want to be singled out, because I was just thrilled to be part of a vibrant basketball community that wasn’t toxic and where everybody really just loved the game. You’ve got your favorite teams, but at the end of the game—and this still happens today on Threads—people say, Hey, man, that was a really good game. We still hate y’all, but your guy played a good game, and we’ll get you next time. I’m more comfortable with it now. A lot of times when I’m posting, I’ll use it in hashtags or when I’m trying to be silly. But I’m grateful for it. It’s obviously a form of admiration and reminds me of how special Threads is and, specifically, the Basketball Threads community.

Absolutely. What would you say keeps you motivated about staying up-to-date with everything basketball? It’s a pretty long cycle—daily games, multiple things happening. Being a basketball fan, especially one who posts frequently and engages within a community like yours, is definitely a long commitment.

Well, I just have a love for the sport, for starters. It could all shut down tomorrow, and I’d still be all-in on everything basketball. As for Threads, ultimately, it’s just the people, man. My wife and I have traveled to different cities for work and leisure. Every time I know we’re going somewhere, I’m on Threads saying, Hey, who’s in this city? Let’s link. It’s weird. These are strangers—but there’s been such a connection over basketball in the past year. We’ve gone to Phoenix and met up with six or seven different people from Threads. We even went to a game together. So, helping grow Threads and Basketball Threads, loving basketball—those are all parts of it. But what keeps me going at the end of the day is the community and the relationships I’ve built.

What makes Threads stand out for sports content and conversations?

I think Threads—whether intentionally or not—does a great job of platforming smaller accounts. Threads democratize visibility. If someone leaves a really thoughtful reply or is active enough, they can gain visibility. I can’t tell you how many accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers post something and it’s crickets. It’s very humbling and a different way of thinking about social media. You might see an account with 400 followers pop up consistently because their posts and replies are thoughtful and engaging. The algorithm seems to be designed to ensure everyone gets a chance to be heard. Honestly, that's how you build a community because people feel like they're being heard and have a chance because they can find other people and other people can find them.

This is a silly question, what's a social media trend in sports that you would like to see grow and what's one that you would like to see go away?

Man. For a trend I’d like to see grow, I’d love to see bigger accounts—players, analysts, anyone with a name—engage more on Threads. It’s not just about having a large following, it’s about interacting with others and building community. I’d especially love to see players host Q&As or jump into conversations. Imagine if professional basketball players replied to my message—even if he flamed me—it would blow up. That level of engagement keeps the community growing and exciting. As for what I’d like to see go away, I’m not a fan of how some people treat opinions like they’re “takes” to be torn down. I think the need to dunk on others and prove someone wrong stifles healthy conversation. Something that I would like to see go away. I don't know that I could pick just one. I don't really mind the whole take thing. I think really at the end of the day it's just an opinion. And as people, we have a right to our opinions and we have a right to share 'em.

What makes you decide to follow people in the community? Do they have to know ball? Is it a vibe? What makes you follow and engage with people in this community?

Early on, I followed anyone talking about basketball because the platform was new and it was hard to find your niche. Now, I follow around 2,400 people. If they're posting about basketball and not being toxic, I’ll follow them—whether they post daily or once a week. I’m not interested in having a huge following while only following a few. Building community is about engaging with others, sharing their content, and helping smaller profiles grow. That’s how things organically expand on Threads.

What would you say is the most valuable connection you've made on Threads thus far?

Yeah, I don't pick one person over the other in the community. Obviously there's people who I speak with more than others, but for fear of leaving people out, but Sara Montour Lewis has been one of my earliest connections on Threads and one we’ve grown pretty close over the years. Beyond just knowing basketball, she just helps keep the good vibes afloat in the community. We organized a bracket last year during the In-Season Tournament that was a huge success within the Threads community. But honestly, everybody in Basketball Threads has been the most impactful relationship because each connection I've made has helped make my experience that much better.

I feel like you've already said this answer in so many words, but how does Threads differ from other platforms? What makes you stay and engage compared to other platforms?

Threads stands out for its sense of connection, even though it’s not perfect. There are some features missing, like live clips and scoreboards, that could help the community grow faster, but what keeps me here is the people. We still found ways to share information and have discussions, even when big accounts like Shams weren’t posting. Unlike other platforms, Threads allowed us, as early basketball fans, to set the tone for how we interact. We’ve created an environment where differing opinions are respected and civil conversations can happen. The vibe here is just different—it’s more positive and inclusive. Plus, I feel invested in the community. I’ve been here since day one of last season, and I’ve spent a lot of time engaging. Even with my busy life and kids, I’m all in and excited to see where it goes.