The NBA stars who dabble in music
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In the same way that soccer players invest in restaurants and actors are seen playing with various gaming-related gadgets, many basketball players have a passion for music. When they aren’t shooting hoops, and under the spotlight in the national press, some NBA stars rap for fun and lay down some catchy beats in their spare time.
After all, music represents the perfect escape for so many of us. Given the high-pressure situations these athletes have to contend with, it makes sense that they’d also switch off with a musical masterpiece. That’s precisely what many NBA professionals do when they aren’t competing for championships and being backed by fans of the sport when it comes to assessing the latest NBA MVP odds. In fact, for some players, it seems like music is just as important as their showings on the court.
So, with that in mind, below is a look at some NBA stars who dabble in music.
Marvin Bagley III
Playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, Marvin Bagley III is one of the team’s top performers. When he isn’t turning it on in front of thousands of fans, the 25-year-old is recording tunes in his booth. The rapper MB3FIVE released a 13-track album in 2021 and received plenty of plaudits from music fans. While some people would prefer it if Marvin Bagley III focused on improving on the basketball court, there’s no denying that he has a talent for music-making.
Lonzo Ball
Going by the name of Zo when he’s recording music, Lonzo Ball is a big fan of hip-hop when assessing his interests away from basketball. It was so much so that the Chicago Bulls player even produced his very own project in 2022, an eight-track album called Ball-Star Pack. The musical creation received mixed reviews from fans, but nobody can hammer Ball for it, as it’s just a hobby he enjoys when the pressure on the court gets a bit too much.
Shaquille O’Neal
We know that Shaquille O’Neal’s playing days are firmly over, but he deserves a mention, given his legendary status in the sport. Not everyone knows that the four-time NBA champion loves to rap and DJ when he isn’t appearing in movies. O’Neal has also produced numerous tracks in the past, including many from his Shaq Diesel album, which featured tunes with huge names like Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G.
Zeke Nnaji
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A big player for the Denver Nuggets, Zeke Nnaji loves unwinding with a jamming session at home. The highly talented player has spoken openly about his love of music numerous times, with his skillset stretching far beyond the basketball court. He can play various genres on his piano, from classical to jazz. Also, Nnaji composes his tracks with the help of his beloved piano.
Brandon Clarke
A teammate of Marvin Bagley III, Brandon Clarke, and his fellow professionals have been known to team up in the music studio. Clarke says music is his number one hobby away from the basketball court, with his house containing its very own studio. After a memorable win or a painful defeat, Clarke likes to sit down and write songs with his engineer friend. An excellent form of escapism for the NBA star, Brandon Clarke’s music-making abilities are substantial.
Other NBA stars who dabble in music include Damian Lillard, Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Andre Drummond, Aaron Gordon, Danuel House Jr., Damian Lillard, JaVale McGee, Victor Oladipo, and Kyrie Irving.
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Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!
