Before embarking on successful basketball careers, several NBA players first made names for themselves on the football field. With exceptional athleticism and competitiveness, these players excelled at multiple sports in their early days.
Allen Iverson’s Football Dominance
Allen Iverson is best known as one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. The 6-foot (1.82m) guard played 14 seasons, averaging 26.7 points and 6.2 assists per game. He won Rookie of the Year in 1997 and MVP in 2001.
However, football was Iverson‘s first love. At Bethel High School in Virginia, he starred as a quarterback, running back, defensive back, and kick returner.
His junior year, he racked up 9 total touchdowns. As a senior, he recorded 19 interceptions while scoring another 15 touchdowns.
Several major college football programs offered him scholarships. But when a fight landed him in jail before his senior year, they rescinded their offers. He opted to play basketball at Georgetown instead.
Years later, Iverson claimed if he had stuck with football instead of basketball, “I would be the best football player in the world to ever put on a uniform.” While an overstatement, his high school football dominance suggests he could have excelled at that sport too.
Iverson’s Mind-Blowing High School Football Highlights
- Over 1,500 rushing yards in junior season
- Virginia state record of 21 career interceptions
- 3 time All-State selection
- USA Today High School All-American selection as junior
LeBron James’s Football Scholarship Offers
Like Iverson at the guard spots, LeBron James revolutionized the small forward position in basketball. Since entering the NBA straight out of high school in 2003, James has racked up 4 championships, 4 MVPs, and 20 All-Star selections.
But football also appealed to James as a youth. After transferring to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, he played wide receiver on the football team his sophomore and junior years.
James made All-Ohio honors both seasons. As a sophomore, he caught 42 passes for 752 yards and 11 touchdowns. He topped himself as a junior with 44 catches for 736 yards and 16 touchdowns.
His dominance drew scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Alabama, and Miami.
James seriously considered playing college football. But he ultimately skipped college to enter the NBA Draft, and the basketball world has never been the same.
LeBron James’s Football Accolades
- 2 time All-Ohio selection
- Received scholarship offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Miami
- Turned down offers to enter 2003 NBA Draft
Nate Robinson: College Football Player Turned NBA Dunk Champ
At just 5’9″ (1.75m), Nate Robinson forged a successful 11-year NBA career by maximizing his world class athleticism. Robinson unleashed his hops to take home three Slam Dunk contest titles.
But before basketball, Robinson achieved plenty in football too. At Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, he played as a defensive back, wide receiver, and running back.
As a junior and senior, he racked up over 1,200 rushing yards, 500 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns.
Robinson attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship in 2002. He played cornerback as a freshman before moving to wide receiver. Halfway through his sophomore season, he quit football to focus just on basketball for the Huskies.
Though his NBA success showed he ultimately chose the right path, Robinson likely could have played football at a high level had he continued. His athletic gifts and playmaking instincts extended to both sports.
Nate Robinson’s Standout College Football Moments
- Started final 6 games at cornerback as freshman
- Recorded 34 tackles and 2 interceptions in freshman season
- Began sophomore year at wide receiver before quitting team
Glen “Big Baby” Davis: Dominant Two-Sport Recruit
Glen “Big Baby” Davis played 8 solid seasons in the NBA primarily for Boston and Orlando. The beefy, 6’9″ (2.05) center/power forward used his 290-pound (131kg) frame to overpower opponents down low.
In high school, Davis excelled at both basketball and football. On the gridiron he played running back, offensive tackle, defensive end, and defensive tackle for University Lab High in Louisiana.
Entering his senior year, Davis stood as the 5th ranked offensive lineman recruit in the entire country. But wishing to focus on basketball, Davis opted out of playing football that year. Yet LSU, Miami, and Oklahoma State continued recruiting him, hoping he would return to football.
Ultimately Davis accepted a basketball scholarship from LSU. While he achieved plenty over his 13-year basketball career, many wondered how he could have fared on the football field.
Glen “Big Baby” Davis: Football Accomplishments
- 5th ranked OL recruit in country after junior year
- Received football scholarship offers from LSU, Miami, and Oklahoma State
- Declined senior season and offers to focus on basketball
Anthony Edwards: NFL Aspirations but NBA-Bound
Anthony Edwards has quickly emerged as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars since being drafted #1 overall by Minnesota in 2020.
His athletic 6’5″ (1.95m) frame allows him to overpower smaller guards and blow past bigger defenders.
As a kid, Edwards‘ first love was actually football. Between ages 10-11 he starred on a local youth team called the Atlanta Vikings. He played nearly every position, excelling as a running back, receiver, linebacker and defensive back.
But as Edwards sprouted to 6-feet tall by 8th grade, it became clear basketball was his path.
His first dunk at age 13 confirmed his destiny. Yet he still claimed he’d “rather be drafted in the NFL” just before entering the NBA in 2020.
While Edwards is clearly where he belongs in the NBA, his football background undoubtedly groomed the aggressiveness, toughness, and relentless motor he displays on the court.
Anthony Edwards’s Standout Football Traits
- Starred on Atlanta Vikings youth team from ages 10-11
- Played RB, WR, LB, DB – nearly every position
- Hoped to be drafted by NFL team before entering NBA
The exceptional athletes above likely could have cut it in football. Fortunately for basketball fans, they developed a passion for hoops at a young age. While football may have been some of their first loves, basketball, in the end, won their hearts and talents.
Sources:
www.si.com/nba/2011/10/13/13nba-players-with-football-ties#gid=ci0255c8f980062515&pid=glen-davis
www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/top-3-nba-players-played-football-college
www.kickz.com/en/c/c/blog/nba-players-nfl.html
