5 NBA stars who are huge gamers

Being a member of the NBA can be a relentlessly busy job, which is why it may come as something of a surprise to learn there are pro players who are also gamers in disguise. While you may expect NBA stars to primarily play sports-related titles like NBA 2K19, there are plenty who use gaming for everything from competing in esports events to blowing off steam.

At heart, we are all gamers. Whether we work for an office or a major NBA team, the passion and love we bring to gaming is universal. If you’re a huge NBA fan, or simply curious about the games that sports stars sink their teeth into during their downtime, we thought it’d be fun to put together a list featuring NBA stars known for their love of gaming.

5 NBA stars who are huge gamers

1. Gordon Hayward

Wearing his #20 jersey, Gordon Hayward boasts a strong presence on the court as small forward for the Boston Celtics (previously the Utah Jazz). When it comes to video games, Hayward noted that Starcraft helped him cultivate a love of competitive gaming and streaming. Hayward also confirmed that he plays games like League of Legends, Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Halo, though not as much NBA 2K as you might think.

“I bought NBA 2K11 just to see myself,” Hayward explained in an interview with ESPN. “It was creepily similar and it’s cool to say that you’re in a video game, but I’m just not into it that much. I’m more into first-person shooters and real-time strategy games.”

If you're sitting there thinking that Hayward looks familiar outside of NBA 2K11, it may be because he was in commercials for the IGN Pro League a few years back, and has even appeared at events like a Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 launch party hosted by Activision and Comcast. At the time, Hayward even expressed an interest in buying and investing in his own esports team in the future.

“Everybody around the world is starting to understand there’s a lot of money that can be had in esports. You see, not just the NBA, but business leaders and CEOs are investing in teams; Robert Kraft is invested in an Overwatch team,” Hayward told ESPN. “I wanted to have a team for the last four or five years and I’ve almost pulled the trigger three or four times, but at this point and time when you have Robert Kraft jumping in, it’s almost over my head. There’s some big money at play.”

2. Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid leads a busy life having played 54 out of the first 58 games last season. Despite this, he still manages to make time for what he loves, which includes gaming. As the “Crown Jewel” and center for the Philadelphia 76ers, you’ll see his #21 jersey putting in some serious work on the court.

Even before he joined the 76ers, Embiid was a force to be reckoned with, having helped his high school team with a state championship, and later winning All-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. Embiid got his start gaming on the PlayStation. In a way, it sounds as though gaming initially served as an incentive to do well in school, as he’s mentioned that his mom would confiscate the console if his grades fell below her expectations.

Now aged 25, Embiid is able to play whenever he wants, as long as he’s not busy practicing for his next NBA match. He enjoys games like NBA 2K (which can be practice in and of itself), along with FIFA and Madden. Rather than blow off steam by partying, it sounds like as long as he has his PS4 on hand, he’s good on his own. This was emphasized by a quote he gave the New York Times. 

“A lot of my teammates party in L.A. and I have a lot of friends in L.A., but L.A. is like the only city. Maybe New York but that’s about it. Other than that, I just want to chill and play video games.”

3. De’Aaron Fox

De’Aaron Fox is a versatile threat when it comes to basketball and gaming. As the 5th overall pick in 2017’s NBA Draft, Fox now serves as the starting point guard for the Sacramento Kings. In addition to being a viable member of the Kings, Fox has also been widely recognized as an up-and-coming star to keep a close eye on, with ESPN ranking him as the 25th best player in the NBA.

Off the court, he’s similarly dominant at his other passion, gaming. On Twitch, you can watch “Swipa the Fox” dig into everything from NBA 2K to Need for Speed, Fortnite, and Dragon Ball FighterZ. According to Fox’s father, all the time he spent playing NBA 2K growing up helped him cultivate a deeper understanding of basketball strategy.

Touching upon his love of gaming in an interview with Rolling Stone, Fox stated: “It takes me away from basketball and you don’t have to think too much while you do it, so that’s one thing. It’s always been fun for me. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s an escape – just because I have fun with it – but it keeps me busy. It’s something to do.”

He continued by saying his favorite character in NBA 2K18 is none other than himself. It’s a smart choice, especially given his confirmation that the style of play between his video game counterpart and himself are close. “It’s pretty close to the way I play. No video game will ever be perfect, as far as sports, just because you can’t just put someone in the game and expect them to do it all, but it’s pretty good.”

4. Anthony Davis

There’s a lot more to Anthony Davis than his formidable brow. As power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, Davis is seasoned when it comes to everything basketball, and we really mean "seasoned" as he’s been winning awards left, right, and center. He was picked first overall in the 2012 NBA Draft and has since become a six-time NBA All-Star.

If those accolades aren’t enough, the man won a freaking gold medal playing for Team USA during the 2012 Summer Olympics. We’d be lying if we said we aren’t superfans of Davis, but it’s not just because he’s one of the best basketball players we’ve ever seen, he’s also got a huge heart, and a love for gaming.

Outside of NBA 2K, he’s cited games like Call of Duty, FIFA, and Madden as titles he enjoys to kick back and play. Gaming isn’t so much about competing for Davis as it’s a way to unwind, as indicated by statements made in an interview with GameCrate. According to Davis, he mostly plays the campaign in Call of Duty, which makes sense given his busy schedule.

“I don’t like it [Call of Duty multiplayer]. To get good, you have to play a lot online. I don’t have that much time to play online all the time because I’m working. There’d be like a 12-year-old kid that’s killing me, and I’d get so frustrated because I don’t get that much time to play and they play all day. So, I just do the campaign and maybe zombies.”

5. Paul George

Last, but certainly not least, we have Paul George who’s a six-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA Team selection. When it comes to the Clippers, they’re definitely ones to watch as of late, thanks in part to George himself. Unfortunately, George is currently away from the court due to a shoulder injury.

He’s expected to return sometime this November, and as of right now, we have no doubt he’s spending at least some of his recuperation time gaming. The reason for this is due to statements George has made during interviews, where he lists gaming as one of the ways in which he relaxes. He’s also participated in popular gaming events, like 2018’s Fortnite Celebrity Pro-Am. Speaking with ESPN, George touched upon his time playing Fortnite, stating:

“It’s a great game. It’s the competitiveness. It’s one versus 100 people. If you’re a competitive person like me, you enjoy that challenge of going through so many people to win a game. That’s what it really comes down to for me. It’s a fun, interactive game that attracts everyone from little kids to grown adults and from single guys to family men. It’s a great game for all generations.”

Along with games like Fortnite, George is also known for playing Call of Duty and NBA 2K on a regular basis. He’s been playing a while too, telling USA Today, “I’ve been playing 2K since 2000, back when Allen Iverson was the first cover guy.” He went on to compare how a video game like NBA 2K holds up to a real match.

“Depending on who I’m playing, matchups, I play like it’s a real game. I call pick-and-rolls. I swing the ball, make sure there’s ball movement, I like to drive and attack, kick out. I treat it like it’s a real game, and I feel like I see the game differently. I know it’s a video game, but I think I just see it differently.”

If you love the NBA, we’re curious to hear your thoughts on your favorite teams. Do you know of any other NBA players not listed here that enjoy video games? Comment below!