Basketball is a game of skill but it’s also meant to be enjoyed. On social media, basketball players find their way to fame on yet another stage. Instagram is one great way to not only interact with players but get to see a little bit of their reality, instead of only knowing about their game and how well they play.
There is much much more to life than just playing basketball for these guys and IG gives you a window into what’s left after basketball. Of course, you get to see some of the b-ball play and insight too but it’s nice to be reminded that they are real people as well.
Check out these top 10 most popular basketball players to follow on Instagram.
How Do Athletes Make an Impact on IG?
Before we dig into those successful accounts, let’s talk about how they build a name for themselves. You see, just having a name that the world recognizes doesn’t automatically get you followers. While this certainly does help, it’s not the whole story.
In addition, those players need to be able to draw people in to actually check out their content too. One solution that some people turn to is to just buy 20 Instagram likes because this resource can help you get that initial traction and get some content off the ground to get it seen.
After all, it takes visibility to gain more visibility. Once you get it started, more and more people will see, like, share, etc.
Now, let’s look at those basketball players.
1. LeBron James @kingjames
LeBron James holds the spot of the most followed basketball player on IG and it’s no question why. This superstar is incredibly popular not just for his place on the Lakers but also for what he contributes to society in a number of different ways.
LeBron takes a stance for the world, shares his opinions, and is known for entertainment as well. In fact, he has more likes than the NBA’s account, and he is the only player that has beat the NBA IG as far as likes are concerned.
LeBron faces the same challenges that anyone else does when it comes to Instagram’s rules and features. However, his celebrity status and the people who help manage his social media certainly make a difference.
2. Steph Curry @stephencurry30
Stephen Curry does a lot of sharing real life on his social media. You see family, his own history, and his love for basketball all portrayed in perfect clarity on his account. He is all about sharing the laughs, sharing the wins, and keeping it real.
Where some athletes can sometimes think they are above the rules or get vulgar in their interactions, that never happens here. Instead, he keeps it wholesome but also keeps it exciting and enticing too.
On IG, he launched a mini-series called Stephen vs the Game, and it gives you an inside look at his life and background leading up to his career. He clearly loves his family and tries to keep things clean.
3. Russell Westbrook @russwest44
Next up, we have Russell Westbrook, who plays alongside LeBron on the Lakers. His profile has the phrase “WHY NOT?” as the first thing you see and you get a sense of his drive and humor looking at his profile picture.
Russell shares some sense of who he is but also contributes some model-type photos for the enjoyment of onlookers everywhere. He makes a stand for honoring your gift. He also has a funny side, which is where Why Not comes into play with his pop-up comedy shows.
4. Kyrie Irving @andrei-de-guzmankyrieirving
Kyrie Irving isn’t your everyday star. He plays for the Brooklyn Nets, keeping it real from his roots. He has made a name for himself in many different ways and continues to build. He has some major talent, despite recent negative media on his behalf.
This young man shares real life and makes a stand for giving back to the community in the process. He recently has made a lot of posts highlighting his love life and sharing life as he knows it. It’s real and raw.
5. Kevin Durant @EasyMoneySniper
You might be surprised to find Kevin Durant so far down the list, but to him it’s not always about chasing the fame. Kevin also plays for the Nets, but he has played for other teams along the way too. In recent news, he joined up with Patrick Mahomes for cultural leadership, leading the way for others out there.
Kevin shares real life, inspiration, and family quite a bit as part of his IG approach.
6. James Harden @jharden13
James Harden of the 76ers is next on our list. He is a fan favorite for his beard, his wild sense of humor, and his desire to give back in many ways. He has a reputation for being just a little bit crazy, and that goes back to his humorous side, which is why so many people can relate to him.
He shares some of his modeling shoots, real-life entertainment, and plenty of that goofball persona that you see across the board.
7. Chris Paul @cp3
Chris Paul plays for the Suns these days and has been nicknamed The Point God because he is always shooting and making three-pointers. It’s no wonder that Chris has been voted as an All-Star at least nine times. He works hard and deserves it.
Chris also makes a statement with his family and the people around him.
8. Lonzo Ball @zo
Lonzo keeps his IG as real as you can possibly get. You can see his love for his family and wife. He shoots photos and videos with his daughter and has no shame in sharing these with the world. Pair that with some basketball, and you’ve got a win for the world.
9. Damian Lillard @damianlillard
Damian Lillard has overcome a lot in his life. His mission is to make it clear that people have the ability to overcome. He tells us to stop looking at the past and instead become the leaders of the future. His inspiration and encouragement attract people to him with ease.
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo @giannis_an34
If you want a basketball star that is well-loved and deserves to be in the spotlight, this one is for you. People love Giannis everywhere he goes and you can see his passion and excitement for the game and for life. He wants to create a legacy in his father’s name, and he does it well. Giannis shares a lot of basketball and experience plus a little bit of real life too.
Bring Yourself to the IG Table
The one thing that you will notice is consistent with these players is that they don’t hide real life from the world. Their lives are heavily surrounded by basketball, but they make it clear there is more to life too.
You see families, contributions, community involvement, and giving back in so many ways. When it comes to making a name on IG, bringing a sense of yourself is what matters most. Keep it real and show the world what you might have to offer.
