Larry Nance Jr. Explores the Soccer Passion of NBA Stars
Cleveland Cavaliers player Larry Nance Jr. delves into the world of international soccer and its growing popularity among NBA players. Nance Jr. has joined the Men in Blazers Media Network to launch “Switch the Play”, a weekly digital program that will explore the soccer fandom of NBA stars.The first episode, featuring Alex Caruso, player for the NBA champions, Oklahoma City Thunder, premiered on Thursday.
The connection between soccer and the NBA has never been so evident.“When I entered the NBA in 2015, 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.
- Victor Wembanyama
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- LeBron James
- Jimmy Butler
- Luka Doncic
- James Harden
- Joel Embiid
These are some of the main basketball stars who do not hide their passion for soccer. Wembanyama, for example, was seen at a match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City in Paris last winter. The interest is mutual, as soccer figures like Lionel Messi and other Inter Miami stars have attended NBA games.
The NBA even took inspiration from European soccer to design its season tournament, the NBA Cup.Nance, who played soccer until the age of 16, has been a co-owner of the Premier League club, Leeds United, since 2023, along with Indiana player T.J. McConnell. At 33 years old, Nance is preparing for his eleventh season in the NBA, with career averages of 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Nance signed with Cleveland as a free agent in July. This is his second stint with the Cavs, as he previously played for the team 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,” added Nance.
Larry Nance Jr.
