I’ll never forget watching reigning volleyball MVP Simone Giannelli lead Italy’s national team—and seeing how his background in soccer influenced his incredible court vision. It got me thinking about NBA players who also played soccer growing up, and how that unique crossover shaped their basketball careers in ways most fans never notice. You see, the footwork, spatial awareness, and endurance required in soccer translate beautifully to basketball, and I’ve always been fascinated by athletes who bridge these two worlds. Let me walk you through some standout examples where soccer wasn’t just a childhood hobby—it became the secret sauce to their NBA success.
Take Steve Nash, for instance. Growing up in Canada and South Africa, soccer was his first love. He even dreamed of going pro before basketball took over. But if you watch his highlights, it’s obvious: his dribbling, passing, and that uncanny ability to navigate tight spaces? Pure soccer instincts. Nash himself admitted that soccer taught him to think two steps ahead, almost like a chess player on grass. I remember watching him orchestrate the "Seven Seconds or Less" Phoenix Suns offense—it felt like he was directing a fast-break with the grace of a midfielder launching a counterattack. His no-look passes and behind-the-back assists weren’t just flashy; they were calculated, much like a through-ball splitting a defense. And the stats back it up: Nash dished out 10,335 assists in his career, placing him fourth all-time. I’d argue that without soccer, he might not have developed that panoramic court vision that made him a two-time MVP.
Then there’s Dirk Nowitzki, the German legend who revolutionized the power forward position. Before he was draining fadeaway jumpers, Dirk was a lanky kid playing handball and—you guessed it—soccer. His footwork, especially on his signature one-legged fadeaway, was ballet-like. Defenders simply couldn’t handle how he’d pivot, fake, and rise up with the balance of a striker evading a tackle. I’ve rewatched his 2011 Finals performance against the Heat countless times, and what stands out isn’t just his shooting; it’s how he used subtle foot fakes to create space, something I’m convinced came from soccer. Dirk scored over 31,560 points in his career, many from moves that looked more like soccer feints than traditional post plays. Honestly, I think soccer gave him that extra layer of finesse that separated him from other big men.
But it’s not just the offensive stars. Look at players like Pau Gasol, who grew up in Spain where soccer is practically a religion. Pau played competitively until his teens, and it showed in his passing from the high post and his defensive timing. I’ll always remember his tenure with the Lakers, where he and Kobe Bryant ran the triangle offense with a fluidity that reminded me of a well-drilled soccer team. Gasol averaged 3.2 assists per game as a center—an anomaly that screams "playmaker." And let’s not forget Kobe Bryant himself, who spent part of his childhood in Italy immersed in soccer culture. Kobe often credited soccer for teaching him off-ball movement and how to read angles, skills that fueled his 81-point game in 2006. Watching him cut backdoor or exploit defensive gaps felt like seeing a winger make a run behind the backline.
Now, circling back to Simone Giannelli—though he’s a volleyball star, his story mirrors this crossover. In a recent interview, he refused to call Italy the "best in the world" after booting the top-ranked team from a tournament, staying humble like a seasoned athlete who knows that footwork and teamwork transcend sports. It’s that same mindset I see in NBA players who played soccer: a blend of humility, creativity, and global flair. Giannelli’s defensive digs and quick sets? They rely on the same low-center-of-gravity and agility that soccer demands. In my opinion, this isn’t a coincidence—it’s a pattern. Sports are more connected than we think, and soccer’s influence on basketball is a testament to that.
Consider the modern game, where versatility is king. Players like Joel Embiid, who dabbled in soccer in Cameroon, use it to their advantage. Embiid’s footwork in the paint is so smooth, it’s earned him comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon—another athlete with a multi-sport background. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen Embiid spin past defenders like he’s dodging tackles, dropping 30-point games with ease. In the 2022-23 season, he averaged 33.1 points per game, and I’d bet at least a third of those came from moves rooted in soccer fundamentals. It’s why I always tell young athletes to play multiple sports; you never know which skills will cross over.
Ultimately, what strikes me most is how soccer instills a certain rhythm and patience. Basketball can be frantic, but those with a soccer background often play with a calmer, more strategic pace. They see the court as a field, reading plays like a midfielder scanning for openings. From Nash’s assists to Dirk’s fadeaways, these elements didn’t just make them great—they made the game more beautiful to watch. So next time you’re watching an NBA game, pay attention to the footwork and passing; you might just spot a little soccer magic at work.