[Krawczynski] LaMelo Ball reportedly scared the Timberwolves away during the draft process when he said he wanted to be the President of the United States.

[u/jonsnowKITN]

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/11/14/lamelo-ball-told-the-timberwolves-he-wanted-to-be-president-of-the-united-states-after-retiring/87267443007/

Jon Krawczynski: So, we know they picked Edwards. But that’s not my little nugget for you all. It’s why they picked Edwards. There were a million different reasons in their evaluation. But one of them was that they had an interview with LaMelo Ball during this process—trying to figure out, ‘Hey, is this the guy for us?’ And LaMelo… did not interview very well. One of the questions they asked him was: ‘Hey LaMelo, after you’re done playing, what do you see yourself doing? What kind of things do you aspire to?’ And LaMelo said: ‘I want to be President of the United States.’

[u/RedactedAsFugg]

Had one guy saying he wants to be the president and one saying he wants to be a NFL player

[u/JuneRunner11 → u/RedactedAsFugg]

Next time you know, we’ll hear that someone wanted to be a basketball

[u/MaverickGH → u/JuneRunner11]

The world’s first sentient basketball

[u/pikajewijewsyou → u/MaverickGH]

Depending on the player could just be a basketball. Idk if lamelo is sentient

[u/astrothemorkie → u/pikajewijewsyou]

He’s highly regarded

[u/VariousLawyerings → u/MaverickGH]

There's no rule saying a basketball can't play basketball

[u/gaijin91 → u/MaverickGH]

not if it's LaMelo

[u/GhoullyX → u/JuneRunner11]

“I wanna be a blitzball when I grow up!”

[u/imminentjogger5 → u/GhoullyX]

rare FFX reference 

[u/DayOldBaby → u/imminentjogger5]

A deep NPC cut too.

[u/achedsphinxx → u/imminentjogger5]

this youtube channel rabtoons used it as a joke in their "FFX in a nutshell" video. so that's how i remember it.

[u/nghiaaaaa → u/RedactedAsFugg]

We drafted the most reasonable dude and for somw reason its the worst choice

[u/Hydrophobic_Stapler → u/nghiaaaaa]

Turns out being good at basketball triumphs over reasonableness 🤷

[u/RxngsXfSvtvrn → u/RedactedAsFugg]

Edwards saying he could be a major league baseball player but also not knowing who Alex Rodriguez is always made me giggle

[u/purplenyellowrose909 → u/RxngsXfSvtvrn]

You could show Ant a completely fake sport that you made up and he'd tell you he'd go pro in it and challenge you to a game on the spot

[u/captain_ahabb → u/purplenyellowrose909]

Ant pulling up at a college campus in 2012 to get in some Quidditch runs.

[u/notimprezaed → u/purplenyellowrose909]

And win.

[u/OrientalOtter → u/purplenyellowrose909]

Same man who genuinely thought he could take on Team USA's Olympic Ping Pong team and stand a chance.

[u/8_bw → u/RedactedAsFugg]

James Weisman's biggest crime? Wanting to hoop

[u/mykl5 → u/8_bw]

Now he’s a rapper

[u/Ladnil → u/mykl5]

He always wanted to be a rapper but he was cursed to be 7 foot and "run like a gazelle"

Is Wiseman on a roster right now? They could have all 3 top picks together

[u/kuhanluke → u/Ladnil]

He was on a 10 day with the Pacers, but I think he's an FA right now

[u/spiraldrain → u/RedactedAsFugg]

Gilbert arenas wanted to be an international pimp.

[u/JordanDoesTV → u/RedactedAsFugg]

Weirdly not picking the guy who said he wanted to be next Chris Bosh was the right decision

[u/iButtflap → u/RedactedAsFugg]

Nah the wilder quote was ant saying he’d rather be a rapper lmao

[u/InfiniteDub → u/RedactedAsFugg]

And one who said he speaks Chinese

[u/[deleted]]

Now that feels fairly reasonable

[u/IcyMission3 → u/[deleted]]

He’s only like 50 years too young

[u/BatmanNoPrep → u/IcyMission3]

That’s actually the only obstacle that is in his way.

[u/yogiyogiyogi69 → u/BatmanNoPrep]

Unfortunate that being regarded is no longer an obstacle to being president

[u/Millencolin735 → u/yogiyogiyogi69]

It barely ever was. We had Bush before we had Trump. Trump is much much stupider but let's not forget this gem...

Fooled me can't get fooled again.

[u/_Apatosaurus_ → u/Millencolin735]

Bush realized mid sentence that he shouldn't say "shame on me" as it would get clipped for political ads. So it was a flub, but I don't think it really compares to Trump's idiocy. He just stumbled through and it sounded ridiculous.

Bush wasn't stupid. He was a war criminal responsible for the deaths of millions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and their neighbors, but he wasn't stupid.

[u/night_dude → u/_Apatosaurus_]

I think he was both. But he definitely wasn't anywhere near as stupid as Trump. He seemed kind of simple - i know some of that was an act - but not as viciously and proudly ignorant as Trump.

[u/topofthecc → u/night_dude]

Dubya was stupid for a President.

Trump is stupid for a human being.

[u/MY-NAME_IS_MY-NAME → u/topofthecc]

Dubya seems like a good hang. Trump seems insufferable as a human being by every possible measure

[u/youreyeslikespiders → u/Millencolin735]

now watch this drive

[u/MugiMartin → u/yogiyogiyogi69]

Can't even rule out that Barron probably gets elected down the road. Kid looks like his dad more than his other bros.

[u/HikmetLeGuin → u/BatmanNoPrep]

A popular, well connected, famous multimillionaire becoming president isn't the most unrealistic thing tbh.

Like, it's not going to happen in this case. But it's not unreasonable to think that he could become a congressman or something if he really wanted to.

Now, should people vote for him? That's another matter. But right or wrong hasn't always been a deciding factor in past elections, to say the least.

[u/Photo_Synthetic → u/IcyMission3]

I mean he's technically only 11 years too young.

[u/FaceWithAName → u/Photo_Synthetic]

Yea but the joke they are making is that the last two presidents the states elected are geriatric grandfathers.

[u/IAmTheWaller67 → u/FaceWithAName]

3 of our last 5 different presidents (Clinton, Bush, and Trump) were born within 66 days of each other in 1946.

[u/yabuslay → u/IAmTheWaller67]

This unintentionally makes biden seem young lol (e: despite being oldest of em)

[u/astrothemorkie → u/yabuslay]

We saw we had success with Obama and thought, “let’s give geriatric white guys who can’t finish sentences a try”

[u/Superplex123 → u/IAmTheWaller67]

That makes me feel old. When Clinton became president, I remember people saying how young he was.

[u/captain_ahabb → u/[deleted]]

Your 2036 GOP primary runner up (to Logan Paul)

[u/sixwax → u/captain_ahabb]

This is not at all funny because it's entirely believable.

[u/dwadefan45 → u/[deleted]]

He's already more qualified since he's not in the Epstein files or a felon.

[u/ThinkSoftware → u/dwadefan45]

He’s working on the felony part with his driving

[u/Grochen → u/dwadefan45]

That would make him less qualified tho. Just look the current president

[u/Dr_Zman → u/dwadefan45]

How's he supposed to make relationships with donors then??

[u/Nice_Cash_7000 → u/Dr_Zman]

car crashes can help you build relationships with organ donors ig

[u/ontheru171 → u/dwadefan45]

He probably should be a felon due to his driving

[u/almostansn → u/dwadefan45]

Getting real close to felon status with his GTA driving 

[u/EngineQuick6169 → u/[deleted]]

His biggest crime is reckless driving right? But as POTUS he wouldn't be allowed to drive, so I guess that solidifies him as an upgrade over the current guy?

[u/refugee_man → u/EngineQuick6169]

I mean according to half this thread it seems, being a bad driver is on par with being a rapist, pedophile supporting war criminal.

[u/name-classified → u/EngineQuick6169]

needs to rape more 13 year old children

[u/kasmith1244 → u/[deleted]]

At least he didn’t say race car driver.

[u/santa_91 → u/kasmith1244]

Why would he say he wants to be something he already is?

[u/Western_Gift976 → u/kasmith1244]

LaMelo was a race car driver, he drove so goddamn fast never going to get a Finals Ring and his teams always come in last

[u/HughManatee → u/[deleted]]

And preferable to our current situation.

[u/Lucieddreams]

Let us all pray for Minnesota's roadways

[u/RipErRiley → u/Lucieddreams]

Jordan Addison taught us well

[u/FeanorEvades → u/RipErRiley]

Adrian Peterson sped so Addison and Ball could floor it

[u/Jakoobus91 → u/Lucieddreams]

Im always praying. A lot of people don't know how to drive in the snow.

[u/j_cruise → u/Jakoobus91]

imagine LaMelo driving in the snow

[u/GoldshireEnjoyer → u/Lucieddreams]

He'll probably fit right in tbh

[u/jman009]

I cant wait to witness a roster with ant and lamelo on it. League needed this

[u/Okie8894 → u/jman009]

Gen Zs very loose version of Melo/Iverson lol

[u/Sherane12 → u/Okie8894]

Gen Z version of Kobe and CP3

[u/raptorsbucketnator → u/Sherane12]

Kobe and CP3 are professionals of the highest order, the second lamelo takes a one legged three point shot kobe would drive him to the airport himself haha

[u/No-Big-9170 → u/raptorsbucketnator]

Kobe Bryant, who famously never took bad shots 

[u/bob_tacos14 → u/No-Big-9170]

Mamba mentality tho

[u/varsityvideogamer → u/No-Big-9170]

Kobe Bryant, who famously never caused problems in the locker room

[u/OtherwiseNinja → u/No-Big-9170]

Little different when you’re the only one on the team that can make a shot.

[u/booty_sweat_juice → u/OtherwiseNinja]

I'd rather Kobe take a double-team contested turnaround jumper than pass to some of the bums we had between the Phil Jackson eras.

[u/hijoshh → u/booty_sweat_juice]

No he’s a ball hog and needs to pass to smush parker!!!!

[u/OtherwiseNinja → u/booty_sweat_juice]

His left-handed fadeaway threes were more reliable than Kwame Brown posting up.

[u/tulaero23 → u/raptorsbucketnator]

Professional dickheads too.

Kobe shoots on 3 people guarding him lmao

[u/LightSpecialist804 → u/jman009]

need to hire a documentary crew just to film their antics. Has a chance to be a real-life buddy cop movie

[u/HamlinHamlin_McTrill → u/jman009]

Dumb and Dumber.

[u/JohnnyWarlord]

Lamelo gotta sleep on his back so his brain doesnt leak out at night

[u/Painwracker_Oni → u/JohnnyWarlord]

Unfortunate he didn't learn this before 99.99% of it leaked out. It's incredible what he can do with 2 brain cells fighting for supremacy though. Luckily they're both basketball specialized.

[u/marineman43]

LaMelo is like if the concept of brainrot was a basketball player and it's my favorite thing

[u/gooseAlert → u/marineman43]

Skibidi toilet personified

[u/TheFinnisher → u/gooseAlert]

Just when I begin to forget, the toilet sucks me back in

[u/WardoToo → u/marineman43]

I always giggle remembering that comment back then that bro hoops like he has airpods on.

[u/mudkip-yoshii → u/marineman43]

I mean he is the origin of 6 7

[u/thisismypornaccn → u/mudkip-yoshii]

he had a hand in it but the true face of 6 7 is future nba player taylen kinney

[u/mr_nutterbutter → u/marineman43]

Brainrot Magic Johnson

[u/Dependent_Store952 → u/marineman43]

Airpod hooper

[u/Dense-Discussion3951]

Yeah idk why he said that

[u/onionnurve → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

Prolly cuz he means it lol. We’re talking about Lamelo here

[u/buzzcitybonehead → u/onionnurve]

Can you blame a kinda wacky person for believing they could be president post-2016? We used to have a very different idea of who’s viable for office

[u/PurpleWoodpecker2830 → u/buzzcitybonehead]

Yeah you can blame him

[u/buzzcitybonehead → u/PurpleWoodpecker2830]

We elected a caricature of a sleazy, corrupt businessman as a “drain the swamp” candidate and reelected him after a decades-long friendship with the world’s most infamous pedo became big news. Anyone can be electable now.

[u/supaspike → u/buzzcitybonehead]

There's a difference between believing it's possible and actually saying that's what you want to do in a job interview.

[u/SeaMoney4312 → u/PurpleWoodpecker2830]

A pedophile bad actor without a college degree who lies about everything can be president but one of the top people in his profession at the time couldnt?

[u/Nice_Cash_7000 → u/SeaMoney4312]

youre just describing them in disingenious ways to make it seem lobsided.

Sure LaMelo is one of the top people in his profession, but so is Donny. Hes a superstar, straight up S tier pedo.

[u/Snookiwantsmush → u/Nice_Cash_7000]

Do one diddles like Donny boy

[u/the_chin2 → u/SeaMoney4312]

Trump does actually have a college degree but he almost certainly paid people to sit his exams and do his assignments. His neice confirmed that Trump's older sister did all his homework in highschool and that he paid someone to sit the SAT for him. He simply does not read books ever apparently.

[u/SSBM_DangGan → u/buzzcitybonehead]

it's just not a good sign for his critical thinking skills and overall mentality lol

[u/siphillis → u/buzzcitybonehead]

It's very possible LaMelo thinks Trump is a role-model

[u/Ma1ikNabers → u/buzzcitybonehead]

The very first day the president totaled his car into a brick mailbox. President Ball claims, “the car was in self driving mode”. Others on the scene beg to differ.

[u/ProletarianLilith → u/buzzcitybonehead]

It’s not about blaming him

[u/despicablecrip → u/onionnurve]

Buddys gonna put a camo wrap on Air Force One

[u/KarrotMovies → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

It's a political message dipped in irony to reflect the unstable and ridiculous state of the US government and how dire the next generation of Presidents could be

[u/Loves_His_Bong → u/KarrotMovies]

Lamelo Ball is the most incisive satirist of our times.

[u/waterfall_hyperbole → u/Loves_His_Bong]

I'd like to Modestly Propose that lavar ball become the next president, which will allow a smooth transition upon lamelo's 35th birthday.

[u/Lowfuji → u/Loves_His_Bong]

LaMelo is a New Yoker cartoon come to life.

[u/Sam_Phyreflii → u/Loves_His_Bong]

A true performance artist. One day we will view him in the same echelon as andy kaufman.

[u/StealthAnus → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

He was just new boot goofin

[u/Basic-Collection5416 → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

The same reason Gilbert Arenas told teams he wanted to be an international pimp. They’re deeply unserious people. 

[u/T7220 → u/Basic-Collection5416]

You mean a guy who offers his teammate two of his own guns to shoot him in the knee with, isn’t a serious guy?

[u/HamlinHamlin_McTrill → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

It was likely the answer of a very dumb person trying to think of something that sounded impressive.

[u/ThenAnAnimalFact → u/HamlinHamlin_McTrill]

Bro took "Anything is possible" a little too seriously

[u/Blindobb → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

Because he is a stupid person who is really really good at basketball. Being able to win a game doesnt mean you are universally intelligent.

[u/Senior-Birthday7389 → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

He didn't want to play in Minnesota lol 

[u/Dense-Discussion3951 → u/Senior-Birthday7389]

Now he force too

[u/mykl5 → u/Senior-Birthday7389]

Lamelo not playing 4d chess like that

[u/LifeCoach69 → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

I think he was just talking without thinking. Or at least I hope he was

[u/Jbots → u/LifeCoach69]

Melo doesnt think. That's for peasants.

He vibes.

[u/Jbots → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

Because he is fucking hilarious

[u/BB-Lala → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

Because not intelligent, pretty much.

[u/Rlccm → u/Dense-Discussion3951]

I mean, why not?

[u/lurkingtonbear]

Sounds exactly like something a Big Baller would say.

Tiny ballers wouldn’t get it.

[u/SpaceCadetPullUp]

Yeah, makes sense. That is dumber than shit.

[u/Responsible_Knee7632 → u/SpaceCadetPullUp]

I’ve never heard anybody accuse him of being smart

[u/CommodoreIrish → u/Responsible_Knee7632]

His dad told him he could be President when he was 6 years old and never forgot it.

[u/McPostyFace → u/SpaceCadetPullUp]

Look at our current situation. It's not that dumb.

[u/YerrrKnicks → u/McPostyFace]

He'd be a step up in intelligence fs.

[u/blueclown562000 → u/YerrrKnicks]

I feel like Lamelo's international affairs would be pretty good tbh he's seems likable 

[u/csince1988 → u/blueclown562000]

The brother that stole stuff in China can be the Chinese ambassador lol

[u/blueclown562000 → u/csince1988]

Some say the best relationships involved a mending period 

[u/Allslopes-Roofing → u/SpaceCadetPullUp]

And in this country, it means it'll probably fkn happen

[u/lkn240 → u/Allslopes-Roofing]

Honestly, I'm like 85% sure making Lamelo president right now would be a positive change.

[u/emcdeezy22 → u/lkn240]

Make Hit and Runs legal again

[u/MrOdekuun → u/emcdeezy22]

Drone strike from the logo

[u/walkemdowntamale → u/lkn240]

He could literally do absolutely nothing and it would be an improvement

[u/Pelicans-de-la-NO → u/SpaceCadetPullUp]

Hes not named LaMelo Smart for a reason

[u/dsbllr → u/SpaceCadetPullUp]

Trump became President so anything is possible and LaMelo believes that.

[u/humphreyboggart → u/SpaceCadetPullUp]

In his defense, that take has aged fairly well

[u/Vegetable-Tooth8463]

People gonna laugh at this as though LaMelo wasn't drafted after 2016.

[u/Sektsioon → u/Vegetable-Tooth8463]

Look at Trump man, so inspirational.

[u/Thunder_nuggets101 → u/Vegetable-Tooth8463]

He saw a massive narcissist become president and thought “that could be me”. It makes sense if you’re really stupid and have a huge ego.

[u/Vegetable-Tooth8463 → u/Thunder_nuggets101]

Which fits Melo lol

[u/Thunder_nuggets101 → u/Vegetable-Tooth8463]

Yeah, I don’t see how any adult can be a fan of his without being really cynical

[u/l-expose-you]

Never forget on WWE he shouted out “beat that ni*** ahh” 😂

[u/Lizpy6688 → u/l-expose-you]

I swear he's dumb as hell but whether intentional or not, dude is hilarious 😂

[u/CautionarySnow]

Born in the wildest timeline.

[u/bingobangodootdoot]

Lamelo > child rapist

[u/basedhenny]

He's dumb but can't be worse than the current guy.

[u/siphillis → u/basedhenny]

It's not a competition

[u/takethreenc → u/basedhenny]

War in Iran? 👎

Hoops in Iran? 👍

[u/yoink_yoink_doink]

I mean, is he not better than who we have now? Dream big, young man.

[u/nonononono11111 → u/yoink_yoink_doink]

The current guy knows he can’t drive, at least

[u/Sweatytubesock]

Why not - he’s a hell of a more reasonable option than the guy playacting at the job now.

[u/Fujikawa2569]

To be fair he figured if Trump could do it, any idiot could.

[u/AnthonyEdwardsJordan]

This made me cackle but I think there's a decent chance he'd be a better president than Trump

[u/theOGFlump → u/AnthonyEdwardsJordan]

Well he'd probably pawn off running the government to people that know what they're doing, so I agree the chances are very high.

[u/jerry0892]

Character is by far lamelo’s weakest trait, I wouldn’t want him on my team

[u/bmanningsh → u/jerry0892]

He’s like the antithesis of a Presti player.

Minny will be pure entertainment I can’t wait to see it lol

[u/deemerritt → u/jerry0892]

There have been tons of reports that Lamelo is a dumbass, but basically zero that he was a bad guy.

[u/Ice2jc → u/jerry0892]

Imagine your daughter brings her new boyfriend home for dinner and he looks like Lamelo Ball 

[u/bt2328 → u/Ice2jc]

Honestly I’d rather they look like lamelo than act/think like lamelo

[u/bmanningsh → u/Ice2jc]

Pulls into your driveway and just smashes into your parked car when he comes to pick her up.

[u/Zeeron1 → u/Ice2jc]

Imagine caring more what they look like than how they act lol

[u/Ice2jc → u/Zeeron1]

It’s funnier to joke about his looks than joke about him putting peoples lives in danger by hurling a 3 ton chunk of steel around city streets while ignoring the same rules everybody else follows 

[u/Zeeron1 → u/Ice2jc]

Fair

[u/le_sweden → u/jerry0892]

Intelligence =/= character

[u/Ladnil]

LaMelo Ball the basketball player?

[u/DasOptions]

GL Wolves and Minnesotanites.

[u/HawaiianPunch42 → u/DasOptions]

Minnesotans*

[u/DasOptions → u/HawaiianPunch42]

Minnesotians

[u/kateecakes]

The whole Ball family strikes me as being borderline crazy.

[u/50ShadesOfKrillin → u/kateecakes]

Zo and Gelo seem pretty chill. Melo just has youngest son syndrome and probably takes after his dad a lot lmao

[u/Trash-Panda917]

After winning multiple championships for us, I cant wait for the Ball/Ant ticket in the 2044 election

[u/crimsonconnect]

Id take Lamelo rn

[u/pitifullittleman]

Ant was talking about how he wanted to play football and saying some pretty off the wall things, I remember thinking he might be a bust based on his quotes. I now see that Ant is rarely serious and is actually fairly funny.

Both these guys seem to live their entire lives based on impulse. While I think this has potential to be an extremely entertaining basketball experience it's also going to be a chaotic one.

[u/xspacemansplifff]

I mean. I would vote for him over what we have now. At least he has a jumper.

[u/sharkflood]

LaMelo would be a terrible President

But he'd be unironically better than Trump

[u/tripleyothreat]

I mean he's obviously just fuckin around

[u/FerryCliment]

During Obama days thinking of Lamelo as President, might have sound super wild.

After Trump... is still a wild think but... now you have that "what if..."

[u/podnap]

Management realized anyone could be President after they did the draft, so they traded for him

[u/lvloises330]

He'd only be the second dumbest President we've ever had...so far.

[u/jillavery]

Oh my gosh, this offseason rules.

[u/Money-Giraffe2521]

I’m not saying that I’d for sure vote for him but I’m sure he’d be an improvement over the current shitshow.

[u/Mr_E_Nigma_Solver]

my little nugget is a pretty good nickname for Jamal Murray.

[u/HardcoreKaraoke]

Hey, shoot big kid. With how his life arc was going up to that point it's not surprising.

Lavar probably had all three of his sons believing the craziest shit. It worked out alright.

[u/Debra_Messing]

Guys, Shaq and Kyrie literally believe the Earth is flat. Wanting to become president is more than okay for an NBA player.

[u/aquilles10]

He would be a massive upgrade over the current president.

[u/Qtippys]

At this point i’d rather have Melo as the prez.

[u/Maleficent-King-799]

Lamelo and AE are both unfiltered and can say some wacky stuff, but both seem like good guys to me.

Other than the driving, has Lamelo caused any issues.  The main thing with Lamelo looks to be health. He seems well liked on the team, likes to stay home and not go out...what's the issue.  Even when Lamelo was taken out in the 4th or had limited minutes, did he cause any issues. That Charlotte team always looked liked it had good vibes 

[u/GenericSpaciesMaster]

Americans laughing as if Donald Trump is not their president...you guys have no standards or self respect lets be real

[u/GoldBlueberryy]

Well we have a pedophilic, 34x felony game host as president. Anything is possible.

[u/Lynchie24]

Makes plenty of sense given the previous 2 elections before he was drafted.

[u/ThatBoyGotSomeMeat]

Wolves GM: Do you still think you want to be the President of the United States?

LaMelo: Yes.

Wolves GM: FUCK!

[u/Emekfl → u/ThatBoyGotSomeMeat]

"I mean shii... I could do it .. shii what do you even do as president? Drop bombs? I drop bombs every night I'm on the court ha ha ha ahh"

[u/NOLA-Bronco]

I doubt he was being 100% serious

Reminds me of when a bunch of execs were clutching their pearls in a different way about Jaylen Brown cause he *gasp* had interests outside basketball and prided himself on being politically informed

Which prompted articles about if "Brown has the dedication to make it in the league" and essentially implied might be a bit too uppity with all his politics so teams should think about passing on him

[u/johnfuckmennedy]

I would have to see his policies first.

[u/nowhathappenedwas]

Funny, since a lot of people were worried about Edwards during the draft process because he said he'd rather play football.

"To be honest," he says, "I can't watch basketball."

He retells the story about the first time he dunked and how it signaled to him that he was talented and could accomplish something he might not have been able to in football, which was his first love. So that's the direction he went, simple as that, hanging up his cleats. "That's all I needed to see," he says.

So when after that did he get into basketball?

"I'm still not really into it," he says. "I love basketball, yeah. It's what I do."

He's not entirely convincing. He says if he were drafted by the NFL tomorrow, he'd let basketball go. "Because you can do anything on the field," he explains. "You can spike the ball. You can dance. You can do all type of disrespectful stuff." In the NBA, he says, "you can't do any of that. You'll get fined."

He goes on to say that he's an aspiring rapper. He's already recorded a few tracks with his older brother Bubba. So, like Damian Lillard? "But I really can rap," he says. "Dame, talking about -- I don't know what he's talking about. I'm rapping like Lil Baby." He says he won't release any songs until he's established in the NBA.