Ayrton Oneill
Prince was a musical genius, a rock star, and an enigma. His love for basketball, however, provided a glimpse into his normal side. The artist was a basketball fanatic, with a court at Paisley Park and a hoop onstage during the Lovesexy tour. He played a famous game with Charlie Murphy and his brother Eddie, which was depicted in a Chappelle's Show sketch. Prince was also friends with Magic Johnson and played basketball on stage during his concerts. His high school basketball coach believed the sport was Prince's first love, and the singer continued to play and follow the game passionately throughout his life, even taking breaks from rehearsals to play.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basketball fanatic | Yes |
| Obsession with the game | Yes |
| High school basketball player | Yes |
| Played basketball with Charlie Murphy and Eddie Murphy | Yes |
| Played basketball in heels | Yes |
| Played basketball with his bandmates | Yes |
| Played basketball with Morris Hayes | Yes |
| Played basketball on stage during concerts | Yes |
| Had a basketball court at Paisley Park | Yes |
| Performed a private concert for the Minnesota Lynx | Yes |
| Watched the Chicago Bulls during a concert in Montreal | Yes |
| Supported AAU teams in his hometown | Yes |
| Friends with Magic Johnson | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Prince's high school basketball career
Prince's love for basketball is well-known, and the sport was reportedly his first love. He played basketball in high school at Minneapolis Central High School, and his coach Al Nuness recalled that he was "quick" and "could handle the ball". Nuness also noted that Prince's basketball career ended after his sophomore season as he pursued music.
Prince's high school basketball coach, Richard Robinson, described him as an "excellent player" and a "good shooter". Despite his small stature, he possessed the skills necessary to be a successful player. Robinson also mentioned that Prince desired to be a starter on the team.
Prince's passion for basketball continued beyond his high school years. He had a basketball court at Paisley Park, where he would often play with his bandmates and friends. He even had a hoop set up onstage during his Lovesexy tour, and he would sometimes play basketball during his concerts.
Prince's love for the game extended to his adult life, where he closely followed the NBA and supported the Minnesota teams. He was good friends with NBA legend Magic Johnson, and his bandmates recall how he would often use basketball references to motivate them.
Prince's basketball skills were showcased in a now-famous game with Charlie Murphy and his brother Eddie Murphy in 1985, as depicted in a Chappelle's Show sketch. Despite not changing into sports gear, Prince displayed his talent and surprised everyone with his shooting and ball-handling abilities.
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Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories sketch
In 2003, Charlie Murphy recounted his encounter with Prince in the Chappelle's Show sketch, "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories". The sketch depicted a 1985 pickup basketball game between Murphy, his brother Eddie Murphy, and Prince.
In the sketch, Charlie Murphy tells the story of going to Prince's house with his brother Eddie and some other guys, including Micki Free, and being challenged to a game of basketball by the host. Despite their surprise, they agree to play, and Prince changes out of his heels and into tennis shoes. According to Murphy, Prince made shot after shot, ultimately defeating the Murphy brothers.
The sketch became a pop culture phenomenon, with many fans believing it to be exaggerated. However, Prince's well-documented love of basketball lends credibility to Murphy's story. Prince was known to have a basketball court at Paisley Park, and he often played during rehearsals or while watching his band practice. He even had a hoop onstage during the Lovesexy tour and would sneak peeks at an offstage TV during playoff games.
The "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories" sketch offered a glimpse into Prince's passion for basketball and provided a relatable aspect to the enigmatic star. It also showcased Charlie Murphy's storytelling abilities and humour, with the sketch being considered one of the most famous moments of Chappelle's Show.
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Prince's basketball court at Paisley Park
Prince's love for basketball is well-known. In high school, he played basketball, and his coach, Al Nuness, believed that the sport was Prince's "first love". However, his basketball career ended after his sophomore year when he shifted his focus to music.
At Paisley Park, his 65,000-square-foot estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota, Prince had a basketball court. The complex, which served as his recording studio, creative space, and home, was designed by BOTO Design Inc. and included four recording studios, a sound stage, a video editing suite, rehearsal rooms, and an outdoor basketball court.
The basketball court at Paisley Park was not just a place for recreation but also a space that facilitated creativity and collaboration. In the midst of recording songs or rehearsing for tours, Prince and his team would often engage in pick-up basketball games. The court provided an opportunity to burn off energy and served as a rehearsal space for dancers, with mirrors installed on one side.
Prince's passion for basketball extended beyond his personal interest in playing the game. He supported local AAU teams in his hometown and was a fan of the WNBA. When his hometown team, the Minnesota Lynx, won the WNBA title, Prince celebrated their victory with a private, impromptu four-hour concert.
The basketball court at Paisley Park holds significance not only for Prince's personal enjoyment of the sport but also for its role in fostering his creative process and charitable endeavours. It stands as a testament to his multifaceted talents and interests, bridging the worlds of athletics and music.
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Prince's NBA fandom
Prince's love for basketball is well-documented. The iconic singer, widely considered one of the greatest musicians of all time, had a life-long passion for the game.
Prince's high school basketball coach, Al Nuness, recalled that the musician was "quick" and "could handle the ball". However, his basketball career ended after his sophomore season as he pursued music. Prince's interest in basketball continued beyond his high school years, with the singer often playing with his bandmates and challenging them to games.
The singer's love for the sport was also reflected in his performances. He had a basketball court at Paisley Park, where he would rehearse, and even played basketball on stage during his shows. Additionally, Prince hosted the Minnesota Lynx and sat courtside at NBA games.
Prince's passion for basketball has left an impact, with his love for the game offering a glimpse into the "normal" side of the enigmatic superstar.
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Prince's basketball-playing friends
Prince's love for basketball was well-known, and he had several basketball-playing friends. One of his most famous basketball games was with Charlie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, and a few others, which was depicted in a Chappelle's Show sketch. According to Charlie Murphy, they went to Prince's house after a night out, and Prince suggested they play basketball. Prince and his teammates dominated the game, and Murphy recalled being surprised by Prince's skills.
Another one of Prince's basketball-playing friends was Micki Free, a blues-rock guitarist. Free and Prince became close friends, and they shared a love for makeup, high heels, and guitar-shredding. Free recalled hanging out with Prince as being "surreal".
Morris Hayes, Prince's longtime keyboardist and musical director, also played basketball with Prince. Despite being much taller, Hayes recalled being surprised that Prince could beat him in one-on-one games. Prince was known to take his basketball seriously and would even play in heels.
Prince also had a basketball court at Paisley Park, where he would play with his bandmates, including keyboardist Kip Blackshire. They would often play 21, and Prince would use basketball to motivate his bandmates and make points.
In addition to his close friends, Prince was also good friends with basketball legend Magic Johnson.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, by all accounts, Prince was a very talented basketball player. In a now-iconic story, Charlie Murphy recounted a game of basketball with Prince on an episode of Chappelle's Show, in which he was completely dominated by the musical genius. Murphy, who assumed Prince wasn't serious about the game because he didn't change out of his blouse, was shocked when Prince made shot after shot.
Prince's love for basketball began in high school, where his coach, Al Nuness, believed it was his "first love". Although his career ended after his sophomore season, with music taking priority, he stayed in contact with Nuness as he rose to fame.
Prince played basketball often and even had a basketball court at Paisley Park, where he would play with his bandmates and break up long recording sessions. He also had a hoop on stage during the Lovesexy tour and played basketball in heels, according to guitarist Wendy Melvoin.
Prince incorporated basketball into his concerts, playing basketball onstage during his shows. He also hosted the Minnesota Lynx and played an impromptu four-hour concert for them after their WNBA victory. He was also good friends with Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, Magic Johnson.
