These NBA Players Who Played Soccer First Will Surprise You

I’ve always been fascinated by how versatile athletes can be, especially when they cross over from one sport to another and still manage to dominate. It’s one thing to excel at a single discipline, but to transition and thrive in a completely different arena? That’s something special. Take basketball, for example. We often think of NBA players as having dedicated their entire lives to hoops, but you’d be surprised how many of them actually started out on the soccer field. And honestly, it makes sense when you think about it—footwork, spatial awareness, endurance, all of those skills translate beautifully from soccer to basketball. It’s a connection that doesn’t get talked about enough, but once you start looking, the examples just keep piling up.

Let me kick things off with a name you might not expect: Steve Nash. Before he became a two-time NBA MVP and one of the greatest point guards in history, Nash was a talented soccer player growing up in Canada and South Africa. He even credited soccer with shaping his basketball game, particularly his unparalleled court vision and creative passing. I remember watching him play and thinking how his assists felt almost like perfectly weighted through-balls in soccer—precise, intuitive, and always a step ahead of the defense. Nash himself once said that if he hadn’t picked up a basketball, he might have pursued soccer professionally. And honestly, I believe it. You can see the influence in the way he moved—light on his feet, always scanning the field, sorry, the court, for openings. It’s no coincidence that some of the best playmakers in basketball have a background in soccer.

Then there’s Dirk Nowitzki, the legendary Dallas Mavericks forward. Growing up in Germany, Dirk was immersed in soccer culture and even played as a youth. Though he eventually shifted to basketball, his soccer roots contributed to his unique playing style—especially that iconic one-legged fadeaway jumper, which some analysts have compared to the balance and technique of a soccer volley. I’ve always admired how seamlessly he incorporated footwork from the pitch into his post moves. It’s a subtle thing, but once you notice it, you can’t unsee it. And let’s not forget Hakeem Olajuwon, who didn’t just play soccer—he was a goalkeeper back in Nigeria. Olajuwon often spoke about how soccer helped develop his legendary footwork and agility, which he later used to dominate the paint in the NBA. I mean, the man’s "Dream Shake" is practically a work of art, and I’m convinced it owes a lot to those early days defending the goal.

But this crossover isn’t just about individual skills; it’s about mindset, too. Think about the recent example from volleyball, where Italy’s captain and reigning MVP Simone Giannelli led his team to boot the world No. 1 out of the tournament. Even as defending champions, Giannelli refused to acknowledge that this automatically made them the "best in the world." That humility and focus on continuous improvement? It’s something you see in athletes who’ve been shaped by multiple sports. They bring a different perspective, a kind of mental flexibility that pure specialists sometimes lack. In the NBA, players like Nash and Nowitzki exhibited that same grounded attitude—always pushing, never satisfied, because they knew what it was like to compete in a global sport like soccer where the margins are razor-thin.

Now, I’ll admit, I’m biased here. As someone who’s followed both basketball and soccer for years, I love spotting these connections. It’s not just about the physical traits, either. Soccer teaches you to read the game in a way that’s incredibly valuable in basketball. For instance, Patricio "Pat" Garino, who briefly played in the NBA, grew up in Argentina playing soccer before switching to basketball. His defensive instincts and off-ball movement were top-notch, and I’d argue that came from understanding spacing and anticipation on the soccer field. Even current stars like Joel Embiid have dabbled in soccer—Embiid, from Cameroon, has mentioned how soccer helped his conditioning and coordination. It’s funny, because when you watch him sprint down the court or pivot in the post, there’s a fluidity that reminds me of a midfielder making a run.

Of course, not every soccer-turned-basketball story leads to superstardom, but the overlap is undeniable. Studies—or at least, the ones I’ve come across—suggest that around 15-20% of NBA players have some background in soccer, though the exact numbers can vary. What’s more telling is how many of them credit soccer for their success. Take Giannis Antetokounmpo, for example. Though he didn’t play organized soccer, he grew up playing street soccer in Greece, and it’s evident in his freakish athleticism and body control. I remember watching an interview where he said soccer taught him to use his feet in ways that directly translated to his euro-step and drives to the basket. It’s those little details that make the difference at the highest level.

In the end, what strikes me most is how these athletes carry pieces of their first love into their primary sport. It’s not just about transferable skills; it’s about passion and adaptability. Simone Giannelli’s cautious approach after a huge volleyball win mirrors the mindset I’ve seen in crossover NBA players—they’re never too quick to crown themselves, because they know how humbling sports can be. Whether it’s Nash’s visionary passes or Olajuwon’s balletic moves, the influence of soccer is a thread that runs through basketball history. So next time you’re watching an NBA game, pay attention to the footwork and spatial awareness of the players. You might just see the ghost of a soccer pitch in their moves, and honestly, that’s what makes sports so beautifully interconnected.