NBA players are their own masters when it comes to showing off their skills on the basketball court, but what do they indulge in when the game is over? The answer for a large number of players would be gaming. Even the greatest athletes in the world take some time off with modern technology in the form of video games. According to studies, over 80 per cent of all NBA players play video games at least a couple of times a week. Gaming is much more than a hobby for NBA stars. They do it to relax, connect with friends, and even enhance their competitive spirit. Let’s take a flight into the world of video games that have entirely captured the attention of NBA players.
NBA stars and their love for gaming
Just like the rest of the world, the NBA is experiencing its own digital revolution, with its players embracing gaming and esports on a new level. Many players have taken to streaming on Twitch, while others compete in online tournaments or actively invest in gaming organisations. Also, many of them are engaged in sports forecasts, and by using the betting site, you can also do this and, moreover, as profitably as possible. The best odds and bonuses are already waiting for you there. But we are still talking about video games, so let’s look at specific examples of players.
Devin Booker is one of those players. Besides being a phenomenal shooter, Booker is also a professional gamer who participates in Call of Duty: Warzone tournaments. Karl-Anthony Towns is also known as a Fortnite streamer, along with other NBA players. In 2020, during the shutdown of the sport, did you know that each player spent an average of three to four hours a day on games? Gaming culture in the NBA is not simply about enjoyment. It is a competition and is treated with great skill and strategy.
Call of Duty: The go-to game for many players
One game that has taken over NBA locker rooms is Call of Duty. The adrenaline-fueled, fast-paced shooter has become popular among many basketball stars looking for the same rush they get on the court.
Players such as Paul George, Damian Lillard, and Ben Simmons are known to spend hours honing their sniper skills in Warzone. During the NBA Bubble of 2020, Call of Duty was dubbed the unofficial game of choice, with countless players streaming battle royale matches in their downtime. Even Kevin Durant has openly admitted to being addicted to the franchise, claiming it is the ultimate test of reflexes and teamwork. It comes as no shock that so many NBA stars take the game seriously when there are in-game tournaments with prize pools surpassing one million dollars.
NBA 2K: Competing on the virtual court
It’s not a shock to hear that NBA athletes enjoy playing NBA 2K, the most renowned basketball simulation in existence. But they don’t just enjoy playing. They take it to the next level. Many stars build custom, personalised myplayer characters to compete with each other in Pro-Am tournaments.
Durant and Trae Young have been particularly famous for calling out their teammates for 2K matchups. The game even had celebrity tournaments, such as the NBA 2K Players Tournament in 2020, where stars like Booker and DeAndre Ayton fought against each other for digital glory. Booker’s skills were so advanced that he won the championship that year. NBA 2K is not a game. It is a combat zone where the stars of the NBA dominate each other off the court.
Fortnite: Battle Royale craze among athletes
Like a few others, Fortnite has taken the world of sports by storm. This popular battle royale game has captured the interest of athletes in all leagues, but NBA players are particularly obsessed.
Josh Hart is well known as a Fortnite fanatic who has invested thousands of hours of his life into the game, shooting and building his way to victory royales. Even LeBron James’s son, known as Bronny, has been spotted playing with NBA stars. Did you know that more than 50 per cent of currently active NBA players have tried Fortnite? The game is based on teams, which is attractive to athletes specialising in hardcore sports, making it a favourite of NBA fans who love to compete. Now, with Fortnite giving away millions in esports prize money, some NBA players are even thinking about taking up gaming professionally.
FIFA: When basketball pros play soccer
NBA players go beyond hoops, and so FIFA appeals to them as well. Soccer, just like basketball, is fast-paced and requires a level of strategic play that makes the game captivating to these athletes.
Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo play a lot of FIFA during their free time, sometimes going as far as challenging their teammates to off-day tournaments. At times, these rivalries are deeper than what these athletes share in real life. For example, Ibaka and Siakam, who used to play together in Toronto, had some serious FIFA clashes. Ibaka claims he always won, while Siakam says he thinks he picked when he won. With millions of copies sold each year, FIFA is a title that can be found in every NBA player’s locker.
Streaming and esports: NBA players as gamers
Stars in the NBA aren’t limited to just playing. They also get involved in the gaming world through investing and participating in streaming. Some examples include:
- Streaming on Twitch and YouTube – Players like De’Aaron Fox and Josh Hart regularly interact with fans by streaming their gameplay live on the internet.
- Investing in esports – Durant and Shaquille O’Neal have invested in professional esports franchises, making their marks in the gaming world outside of basketball.
- Celebrity game tournaments – Events such as the NBA 2K League and Call of Duty contests have celebrities competing for prizes and bragging rights.
- Brand sponsorships – Video game companies have teamed up with NBA players to promote their products, knowing that their influence in esports and gaming can sell sets and consoles.
The NBA is fully embracing the esports industry. It’s no secret this overlap exists, but it’s growing, and NBA stars are at the forefront.
The future of gaming in the NBA community
Just like music and fashion, gaming has also become an important part of the NBA’s culture, and it’s here to stay. New consoles, VR capabilities, and the growth of esports mean more and more gamers and athletes will be playing NBA games. From Call of Duty to FIFA and NBA 2K, gaming has transcended beyond a hobby to a culture. The connection between sports and gaming has been steadily rising over the years, and there is no limit to what it can achieve.
