Nick Kyrgios, often dubbed the “bad boy” of tennis, could have been causing chaos on the basketball court instead. The Aussie has always been a massive NBA fan, and if things had gone differently, he might have been throwing down dunks instead of smashing serves.His love for basketball—and more specifically, the Boston Celtics—goes way back. It all started in 2006 when an 11-year-old Kyrgios played NBA Live on his PSP. That was the moment he chose the Celtics as his team. Ever since, he’s been their biggest supporter, often wearing Celtics gear during matches, interviews, and just about anywhere else. Recently, he had the ultimate fanboy moment, one that had even his girlfriend hyped!

The 29-year-old tennis star got to meet two basketball icons, and it was a full-circle moment for the tennis star.During a break from tennis, Kyrgios shared an unforgettable moment with basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Aussie took to social media, posting a picture alongside the former Lakers star, making it clear just how much the meeting meant to him. It wasn’t just a casual meet and greet. Kyrgios and Abdul-Jabbar were both in the stands, soaking in the action as the LA Lakers faced off against the Dallas Mavericks. For a guy who grew up idolizing the NBA, this was something special.

And the basketball moments didn’t stop there. The former Australian Open doubles champion also sat down for a conversation with Blake Griffin, a former Celtics player, for an episode of Good Trouble. Talking basketball with a former Celtics star? That’s a dream come true for a fan like him.

His girlfriend was just as excited. She responded to an Instagram post about the meet-up with, “so cool❤️❤️,” making it clear that she was loving this moment for him.

With all this passion for basketball, why didn’t Kyrgios pursue it as a career?

Nick Kyrgios reveals why he chose tennis over basketball

Nick Kyrgios had the athleticism, the height, and clearly, the love for the game. So what made him choose tennis?

In 2024, he answered that question himself. Speaking with Trevor Noah, Kyrgios explained that his background played a big role in his decision.“Ah, just look, I mean, look, I didn’t really grow up with, like, you know, in a rich family or anything,” he said. “So I knew I was very soon to realize that it was a way to kind of help my family and help my friends and provide for my people and build a life for far beyond myself. So that’s when I realized that that was the kind of journey that I had to kind of do.”

For Kyrgios, it wasn’t just about choosing between basketball and tennis—it was about choosing a path that could change his life. “Because like to say I would make it in NBA. I don’t think I would,” he admitted. “So it was just an easier, it was like an easier route for me, I guess, to make it out.”

Even though he had the potential to play basketball at a high level, Kyrgios never felt as confident in the sport as he did in tennis. And given how far he’s come, it looks like he made the right call.

While his NBA dreams remain just that—dreams—the former Wimbledon finalist is still looking to get back on track in tennis. His return to action after battling injuries for over two years didn’t go as planned. In Melbourne Park, at his home hunting ground the Aussie suffered an opening-round exit against Jacob Fearnley. He hasn’t played since then, but all eyes are on his next appearance at Indian Wells. Can Nick Kyrgios rediscover his best form and make a real impact?