Music is a powerful healer. It helps business professionals switch off from testing days of meetings, and it boosts dopamine for sports fans who have experienced damaging defeats. In fact, in terms of sport, some of the NBA’s finest players, past and present, enjoy music, with many professionals even known to play the guitar.
Given the high-pressure environments the NBA’s cohort of professionals operates in, it’s hardly surprising that some of them gain pleasure from strumming a guitar and playing fast riffs. Likewise, some players have been known to invest in rare guitars, while other professional players in the NBA were surrounded by guitar playing, given their family’s passion for all things music.
For many fans who listen to interviews on podcasts like All The Smoke and assess the latest DraftKings NBA playoffs odds, they perhaps aren’t aware that some of their current and former heroes indulge in the guitar when they aren’t producing game-winning moments. So, with that in mind, below we highlight some NBA stars who play the guitar.
Wayman Tisdale
Some of the most talented musicians out there showcase their music-making skills in the jazz category. Wayman Tisdale, who played for the Indiana Pacers and the Sacramento Kings, had a clear passion for jazz. Also pictured holding his beloved guitar, the three-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Famer is a talented jazz bass guitarist who has performed live on numerous occasions. Playing the guitar became a post-career move for Tisdale, with the former NBA star clearly obsessed with it.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is sadly no longer with us after his tragic passing, and while he was rightly praised for his impact on and off the court, the former LA Lakers shooting guard was actually a man of many talents. One of his passions was learning the guitar, which he pursued in the latter years of his life. Bryant spoke about his interest in it, with his love for music in general shining through in a number of interviews.
Patty Mills
Having played for well-known franchises like the Clippers and Utah Jazz, Patty Mills has had a solid career in basketball. However, the 37-year-old is now winding things down a bit in Europe, potentially diving into hobbies like playing the guitar more regularly. Mills has been mentioned by former teammates as being an adept guitarist, while he has also shared clips on social media.
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is quite literally one of the biggest names associated with the sport of basketball. Not only did the former Lakers and Heat legend become a four-time NBA champion, but the 7-foot-1-inch giant has also appeared in movies and television shows. Alongside his foray into the world of movies and TV, Shaquille O’Neal adores music, with an acoustic guitar reportedly being one of his favorite instruments. So much so, in fact, that his platinum rap album included tracks that feature guitars.
Steve Nash
Steve Nash has been a big part of the game as coach and player, with his love of the guitar helping him to switch off and reminisce over a highly successful career in the game. The eight-time All-Star is clearly musically inclined, with his evident love of music standing out over the years. Nash has spoken about his favorite bands, the most talented guitarists ever, and he’s also shared the numerous reasons behind his guitar playing sessions. While Steve Nash might not be appearing on global stages anytime soon, the former player and current Warriors coach clearly has a lot of fun while jamming away on his guitar.
