Payton Pritchard is the face of legacy brand Samsonite's "It's Not Just a Bag, It's a Samsonite" campaign. It's an initiative highlighting a legacy of innovation, timeless design, and travel gear built to last.
As a Massachusetts-based company, it made sense that Samsonite would target a member of the 2023-24 NBA champion Boston Celtics for this partnership.
As for what attracted the reigning Sixth Man of the Year to this opportunity, he told this author, "Samsonite has been in the travel game for over a hundred years, and I respect how they're always pushing for quality and innovation. It's more than just luggage—it's about packing what matters and doing it with style and durability, which is kind of how I approach basketball and life."
[Payton Pritchard x Samsonite
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Pritchard also shared his essentials for managing the rigors of an NBA schedule that requires constant travel. Staying organized, leaning on his Samsonite products, with a particular favorite, helps him achieve that while relieving the stress of packing and life on the go.
"When I'm packing for a road trip, I've got a few go-to's," said Pritchard. "First, it's my gear -- whether it's my workout clothes, shoes, or the essentials I need for practice and games. I always bring a couple of books or my headphones to help me unwind. But most importantly, I make sure [that] I'm organized so I can stay on top of everything during a busy schedule. That's where my Samsonite's organization features really come in handy."
It's what makes the Proxis Spinner a personal favorite of the Celtics' guard.
"The Proxis Spinner is my go-to, no question. I'm constantly on the road during the season, and that piece has just made life easier," conveyed Pritchard. "It's lightweight but super durable -- I can toss it in and out of buses, planes, whatever, and it still looks brand new. The spinner wheels are smooth, which sounds like a small thing, but when you're running through airports or trying to get to shoot around, it matters. Plus, it fits everything I need without being oversized. It's just a reliable, well-built piece of gear."
Synergy makes Payton Pritchard and Samsonite a natural pairing
Samsonite is an industry titan. It has set the standard in travel for over a century. That requires adapting to stay ahead. Hailed for the style, ease, and durability of its products, the company has worked relentlessly to achieve that. Pritchard can relate.
The former Oregon Duck utilized his chance on the NBA Finals stage to etch buzzer-beating moments into his legacy. They will live forever in Celtics lore.
But like Samsonite, Pritchard wasn't about to let the feeling of being content creep in. For an encore, he delivered the best season of his five-year career.
The 27-year-old guard averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Those are all career highs. He also knocked down 40.7 percent of the 7.8 shots he attempted from behind the arc.
Reaching new heights requires the same type of durability and innovation associated with Samsonite's products. Pritchard played in all 82 games in the 2023-24 season. He appeared in 80 this go-around.
He entered the year determined to become more efficient at shooting threes off the dribble. He finished ranked in the top five in effective field goal percentage on pull-up threes among those taking at least two per contest, per NBA.com. Effective field goal percentage adjusts for the added value of three-pointers.
He also had his best season defensively. His pit-bull-like approach, pressuring ball handlers and taking away their air space, earned him opportunities against the top perimeter players. That ranges from this year's MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham.
Pointing to the root of that growth, Pritchard told this author, "I feel like a lot of it has to do with working in the weight room, getting stronger, faster, quicker, and being in better shape. But just being fearless and never backing down from a moment."
It's the same type of approach that has turned Samsonite into a legacy brand. One that found the perfect partner for the "It's Not Just a Bag, It's a Samsonite" campaign.