Knicks Guard Landry Shamet Trades Hoops for a Lens at U.S. Open Finals

New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet is known for taking high-pressure shots on the court. But over the weekend, the 27-year-old was capturing a different kind of action: this time from behind a camera at the U.S. Open finals.

Shamet, who joined the NBA in 2018 and recently helped the Knicks reach their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years, spent his weekend working an unpaid role as a photographer with the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) at Arthur Ashe Stadium. With his own camera gear slung over his shoulder, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard embedded himself in the photo pit to shoot the men’s and women’s finals, including Carlos Alcaraz’s title-clinching victory over Jannik Sinner.

“This all started as a hobby about four years ago,” Shamet said. “And somehow I’m here at the U.S. Open.”

What began as a casual pastime using just his phone gradually evolved into a deeper passion. It was a friend who first urged Shamet to get a proper camera—advice he initially brushed off.

“My friend was like, ‘You should get a camera,’” Shamet recalled. “I’m like, ‘I’m not going to use a camera. Who has cameras anymore? You just use your phone.’”

Eventually, he caved, bought a camera, and started taking it on NBA road trips, snapping shots in unfamiliar cities and on walks at home. Over time, what was once a reluctant experiment became an outlet for creativity and self-expression. His growing skills behind the lens eventually opened doors at professional sports events, culminating in his current opportunity with the USTA.

This is Shamet’s second year photographing at the U.S. Open. He previously covered early rounds in 2024, but his performance behind the lens earned him a call-up to capture the high-stakes energy of finals weekend in 2025.

His height, normally an advantage on the basketball court, also proved useful in the photo pit—particularly when capturing moments like Aryna Sabalenka’s trophy lift, offering camera angles out of reach for most.

As Shamet walked the grounds of Flushing Meadows, he was occasionally stopped by fans recognizing him from his NBA career, now intertwined with his growing reputation in photography.

While he hopes to return to the Knicks next season, Shamet has made it clear that photography will continue to be a meaningful part of his life on and off the court.