10 weird facts about basketball no one knows

• A dozen weird facts about NBA players are what make basketball exciting
• The level of competition is exceptionally high
• NBA features the best basketball players in the world

A dozen weird facts about NBA players are what make basketball in its entirety such an interesting match. The level of competition is extremely high and NBA features the best basketball players in the world. Usually, the games are highly competitive and thrilling to watch.

Moreover, the players are superstars known for their incredible talent, athleticism, and personalities. Coupled with fast-paced, high-scoring offences, acrobatic dunks, and intense defence, NBA games are full of excitement and action.

The league’s history is rich with iconic players and teams that have left a lasting impact on the sport. Decades later, the league has a global reach and with it are a few weird facts about NBA players. Here are 10 interesting facts you should know.

Weird basketball facts. Photo by Blue Man Hoop

BASKETBALL FACTS NO ONE KNOWS

1. Michael Jordan was once fined $5,000 for wearing his Nike sneakers, which didn’t meet the NBA’s uniform requirements. He later signed a deal with Nike worth $500 million.
2. Shaquille O’Neal has a Ph.D. in education and has worked as a reserve police officer in several states.
3. LeBron James has a $1 billion endorsement deal with Nike and is the first NBA player to become a billionaire.
4. Kobe Bryant was fluent in Italian and learned the language while playing for an Italian team during high school.
5. Dennis Rodman was a WWE Hall of Fame member and won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice.
6. Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in the history of the NBA, standing at only 5 feet 3 inches tall.
7. Gheorghe Muresan, at 7 feet 7 inches, is the tallest player in the history of the NBA.
8. Nate Robinson is the only player in NBA history to win the Slam Dunk Contest three times.
9. Manute Bol, who played in the NBA from 1985 to 1995, was one of the tallest players in NBA history at 7 feet 7 inches tall and is also known for his humanitarian work in Sudan.
10. Larry Bird was known for his trash-talking on the court, but he also had a great sense of humour and once intentionally missed a free throw to retrieve the ball and give it to a fan as a souvenir.

WHAT IS THE MOST UNKNOWN NBA PLAYER?

In the same breath of weird facts about NBA players, it is difficult to identify the most unknown NBA player definitively. Different people may have different levels of familiarity with different players.

However,  many players are not well known to the general public—particularly those who have not played significant minutes or made significant contributions at the NBA level.

Many players have played for teams outside of the United States or in smaller markets, which may make them less well-known to a broader audience.

It is worth noting that the NBA is a highly competitive league, and even players who are not well-known to the general public may still be very skilled and talented players.

Many players have worked hard to develop their skills and reach the NBA, and they may be highly respected by their peers and coaches, even if they are not well known to the general public.

WHO IS THE MOST LIKEABLE NBA PLAYER?

The subjective nature of determining the most likeable NBA player adds to the thrill of weird facts about NBA players.  Nevertheless, they include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Kobe Bryant (now the late)
• Stephen Curry
• LeBron James
• Michael Jordan
• Shaquille O’Neal
• Magic Johnson
• Yao Ming
• Tim Duncan
• Muggsy Bogues
• Nate Robinson
• Wilt Chamberlain
• Tim Duncan

Kobe Bryant life lessons. Photo/USA Today

WHAT ARE 5 FUN FACTS ABOUT BASKETBALL?

Here are five fun facts about basketball besides weird facts about NBA players.

1. The first official basketball game was played on December 21, 1891, at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. The game was invented by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor looking for a new activity to keep his students active during winter.
2. The first basketballs were made from soccer balls that were cut in half and covered in leather. The first basketballs were also much larger than the ones used today, with a circumference of about 30 inches.
3. The first professional basketball league, the National Basketball League (NBL), was founded in 1898. The league consisted of six teams, all of which were located in the northeastern United States.
4. The first NBA All-Star Game was held in 1951. The game featured the best players from the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was played in Boston, Massachusetts.
5. The highest score ever recorded in an NBA game was 100 points, scored by Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors on March 2, 1962. Chamberlain scored an incredible 59 points in the first half of the game and added 41 more in the second half to set the record.