“Kobe and LeBron Dropped By”: Michael Phelps Recalls Thrilling Moment With NBA Legends at Olympics

America’s Michael Phelps is undoubtedly one of the finest swimmers the world has ever seen. The 2008 Beijing Olympics stamped his authority in the sport like no one else. Phelps won a record eight gold medals at the games, becoming the first and only athlete to achieve the feat. While Phelps’ feat was a surprise, few doubted he would do well at the Olympics. Heading into the Olympics, Phelps had already created world records, previously unheard of.

Interestingly, winning the gold medals wasn’t the best part for Phelps during his outing in 2008. During an interview, the Baltimore Bullet revealed his most thrilling moment at the games.

Michael Phelps revealed his most treasured moment from the 2008 Olympics

Heading to the Olympics, 23-year-old Michael Phelps was already a global sensation. He had already won medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics and was a multiple world record holder. The 2008 Olympics were the second stop in Phelps’ journey to becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time. Recalling his stay in the Olympic village in Beijing, Michael mentioned some of his ‘coolest’ encounters.

Phelps said, “one of the coolest things was just seeing all these other athletes in the village…like the NBA guys, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and seeing Nadal and Federer.” He mentioned he was thrilled to see Nadal and Federer in close-up, and he loved seeing them. “It also meant the world to me, as an NBA fan, when great players like Kobe and LeBron dropped by and told me they were pulling for me.”

READ MORE: “Gosh, No”: 6’4 Ft Michael Phelps’ Close Buddies Once Revealed the Thing Swimming Legend Is Terrible At

Michael admitted it was “very cool” to have the NBA athletes cheering him on. Phelps said it was exciting as he was the kind of guy who switches on the sports news as soon as he wakes up to see what Kobe, LeBron, Nadal, and Federer had done the night before.

Phelps and the miracle of 2008

Coming off of a dominant display in the 2007 World Championships, Phelps was a heavy favorite to medal at the 2008 Olympics. But no one could have foreseen the dominance that would be on display by a 23-year-old.

Four years before that, Phelps kicked off his Olympic medal tally by winning six gold and two bronze medals at the 2004 Athens games. But Phelps looked determined to better his performance. Eight men’s swimming finals later, all heads turned towards just one man. Staring at his greatness, many were in disbelief at what they had witnessed. Michael Fred Phelps II had won an astonishing eight gold medals at the quadrennial event. By doing so, he broke fellow countryman Mark Spitz’s 36-year-old record of 7 gold medals at a single Olympics event. Michael had set the bar for swimming excellence.

WATCH THIS STORY: Resurfaced Video Shows Michael Phelps Race of the Century With Ian Thorpe Pieter Van Den Hoogenbands at 2004 Athens Olympics

No man has since been able to better Phelps’ incredible record. But the fan within the man still considers being able to meet legendary athletes from other sports a more thrilling achievement than his own.