Larry Nance Jr. Explores the Soccer Passion of NBA Stars
The world of basketball and soccer merge thanks to Larry Nance Jr., who delves into the growing fondness of NBA players for international soccer. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ power forward joins Men in Blazers Media Network to launch “Switch the Play”, a weekly program that will explore the soccer passion of basketball figures. The first episode, which will feature Alex Caruso, NBA champion with the Oklahoma City Thunder, premiered on Thursday.The connection between soccer and the NBA is stronger than ever. Stars like Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Luka Doncic, James Harden and Joel Embiid, among others, do not hide their love for soccer. Wembanyama was present at a match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City in Paris last winter, while the San Antonio Spurs were playing against the Indiana Pacers. In addition, the Spurs’ center went viral this summer for participating in impromptu soccer matches around the world. Mutual admiration: Lionel Messi and other Inter Miami stars attended a Miami Heat game in 2024, while Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé, figures from Real Madrid, are regulars at NBA games. Butler revealed that he has lost count of the jerseys he has exchanged with prominent soccer players at NBA games. The NBA even took inspiration from European soccer to create its in-season tournament, the NBA Cup.“I entered the NBA in 2015, and I was probably one of the few in the league who could say who won the Premier League the previous season. Now, soccer is a constant topic of conversation in the locker room. The popularity of soccer has grown a lot in the last 10 years, as has the international influence in the NBA, creating more and more players who constantly follow the game,” commented Nance.
Larry Nance Jr.
Nance, who played soccer until the age of 16, is a co-owner of Leeds United of the Premier League, after becoming an investor in 2023 along with T.J. McConnell, point guard for the Indiana Pacers. At 33 years old, Nance begins his eleventh season in the NBA with averages of 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Nance signed with Cleveland as a free agent in July, marking his second stint with the Cavs, where he already played from 2018 to 2021.“This program will give the league’s stars the opportunity to talk about their love of soccer, the parallels between both sports, and how we see it as professional athletes,” explained Nance.
Larry Nance Jr.
