Amanda Knapp
Prince, the iconic singer, had a life-long love for basketball. He played the sport in high school and continued to play it throughout his life, even challenging his bandmates to games and playing on stage during his concerts. Prince was also a fan of the NBA, closely following the professional game and supporting the Minnesota Lynx and the Chicago Bulls. He was friends with Magic Johnson, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, and played a famous game of basketball with Charlie Murphy and Eddie Murphy, which was later depicted in a Chappelle's Show sketch. Prince's love for basketball provided a glimpse into his normal side and made him even more relatable to his fans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| High school basketball coach's opinion | "I really believe [basketball] was his first love. He was very small. But he was quick. He could handle the ball and he could penetrate and he could dish." |
| Prince's game style | "His game was quickness. He wasn’t the best shooter, but he could split the seams and pass the ball and because of his size people loved to watch him." |
| TV skit portrayal | "A combination of basketball greats Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley, a scoring and rebounding machine." |
| NBA fandom | "He followed the professional game closely and told friends that one of the seminal moments in his adult life came in the late ’80s, when the league announced that Minnesota would get an expansion franchise." |
| Prince's competitiveness | "He loved Michael Jordan, referred to everything Chicago Bulls... He would tell me all the time: 'Morris, I'll shoot the three. You be like Dennis Rodman—you get the rebound; you pitch it out to me.'" |
| Prince's generosity | "He was a great young man. He did a lot of things charitable that people didn't know, because he didn't want people to know he was doing it." |
| Prince's concert for Minnesota Lynx | "Prince played a private, impromptu concert for them after their clinching victory." |
| Prince's fashion sense while playing | "Prince changed into some tennis shoes. All I remember is when Prince made that first shot, it was all-net." |
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What You'll Learn
Prince's high school basketball career
Prince's love for basketball started in high school. His coach, Al Nuness, recalled that "I really believe [basketball] was his first love." Nuness described Prince as a quick and agile player, despite his small stature. He had excellent ball-handling skills and could "penetrate and dish."
Prince's older brother, Duane, was a star basketball and football player in high school, and Prince himself admitted that his brother's talent and popularity on the court made him "jealous." This may have driven him to pursue the sport as well.
During his senior year at Minneapolis Central High School in 1975-76, Prince's team finished with an impressive 25-1 record. Four players from that team, including Prince's half-brother Duane Nelson, received Division I scholarships. However, Prince's career ended after his sophomore season as he shifted his focus to music.
Even after his high school basketball career ended, Prince's passion for the sport continued. He built a basketball court at Paisley Park, his home and recording studio, and would often play with his bandmates and friends. He was known to take his basketball seriously, and his competitiveness extended beyond the court, as seen in his famous ping-pong challenge with Michael Jackson. Prince's love for basketball remained with him throughout his life, influencing his music and performances, and even inspiring a classic sketch on Chappelle's Show.
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Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories sketch
The sketch is based on a true story, as Prince was a big fan of basketball. He had a basketball court at Paisley Park, and a hoop onstage during the Lovesexy tour. He also followed the NBA closely and was a particular fan of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Prince's high school basketball coach, Al Nuness, said that he believed basketball was Prince's "first love". Prince was small but quick, and could handle and pass the ball. However, his basketball career ended after his sophomore season as he turned his attention to music.
Charlie Murphy's sketch increased the show's visibility and attained great public attention. It has been compared to the iconic "word association" sketch on Saturday Night Live from 1975 featuring Chevy Chase and Richard Pryor. The sketch has also had a cultural impact outside of the show, with a candidate for city council in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, named Rick James, having his campaign signs defaced by fans of the sketch.
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Prince's basketball court at Paisley Park
Prince was a huge basketball fan, and the sport was a significant part of his life. Paisley Park, his creative playground, reflected this passion, with a basketball court at its heart.
Paisley Park, a 65,000-square-foot estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota, was Prince's recording studio, creative sanctuary, and home. It was here that he blended his love for music and basketball seamlessly. The basketball court was not just a recreational space but an integral part of Prince's creative process and daily life.
The court was strategically positioned in the middle of Paisley Park, next to the studio. This design was intentional, as it allowed Prince to take breaks from recording and rehearse to play basketball. The court also served as a rehearsal space for his dancers, complete with mirrors on the walls.
Prince's competitive spirit and passion for basketball were legendary. He often challenged his bandmates and friends to games, using basketball as a way to motivate and interact with his band. Despite his small stature, he was known for his quickness and ball-handling skills. He was a fan of the WNBA and closely followed the professional game, with a particular interest in Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
After Prince's untimely passing in 2016, Paisley Park was transformed into a museum, welcoming fans to explore his legendary complex. Visitors can walk the same hallways, step into the basketball court, and imagine the vibrant energy that once filled the space. The museum showcases artefacts, recording studios, soundstages, and offers a glimpse into Prince's life, including his love for basketball.
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Prince's NBA fandom
Prince was a huge basketball fan, and his love for the sport began in high school. His high school basketball coach, Al Nuness, believed that basketball was Prince's "first love". Although he was small, he was quick, and could handle, penetrate and pass the ball. Nuness compared him to Spud Webb, noting that while he lacked leaping ability, he had similar quickness.
However, Prince quit basketball because he was unhappy with his playing time. His half-brother, Duane Nelson, was a better player, and their high school team was considered the greatest ever assembled in Minnesota, so Prince would have struggled to get playing time.
Despite quitting the sport, Prince's passion for basketball continued into adulthood, and he followed the professional game closely. He was a particular fan of the Chicago Bulls, and loved Michael Jordan. He also supported his hometown team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and was occasionally seen wearing a Toronto Raptors jersey.
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Prince's basketball-playing friendship circle
Prince's love for basketball is well-known, and the sport offered a window into his love and generosity. He had a basketball court at Paisley Park, where he would often play with his bandmates, and he even had a hoop onstage during the Lovesexy tour. Prince was a huge NBA fan and followed the professional game closely. He was a particular fan of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Toronto Raptors, and the Chicago Bulls.
Prince's high school basketball coach, Al Nuness, believed that basketball was Prince's "first love". He described him as a quick player who "could handle the ball and [...] dish". However, Prince's basketball career ended after his sophomore season as he turned his attention to music.
Despite his small stature, Prince was a competitive player and was known to take on all comers. He once challenged Michael Jackson to a game of ping-pong while they were recording in the same studio, and he also played with members of his band, including Morris Hayes, a 6'5" former high school basketball player. According to Hayes, Prince would suggest that he could beat Hayes despite the height difference, and he often insisted on playing one-on-one, two-on-two, or three-on-three after rehearsals or all-night recording sessions.
Prince's competitiveness extended beyond basketball, and he was known to be a passionate and competitive person in general. This was reflected in his dedication to the sport, as he would often sneak a look at an offstage TV screen during a playoff game or glance at the score while performing onstage.
Prince's circle of friends and bandmates shared his love of basketball, and it was a way for them to bond and spend time together. Keyboardist Kip Blackshire and Prince played regularly, and they would often play 21 with Blackshire and another bandmate, Free. In 1985, Prince invited Free, Charlie Murphy, and Eddie Murphy to play a game of three-on-three at his house, which became the basis for a famous Chappelle's Show sketch.
Prince's love of basketball continued throughout his life, and he remained connected to the sport even after his playing days were over. He supported AAU teams in Minneapolis and hosted the Minnesota Lynx, playing an impromptu concert for them after their WNBA title win.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, by all accounts, Prince was a talented basketball player. His high school basketball coach, Al Nuness, said, "I really believe [basketball] was his first love. He was very small. But he was quick. He could handle the ball and he could penetrate and he could dish."
Prince's love for basketball was well-known. He had a basketball court at Paisley Park, and a hoop onstage during the Lovesexy tour. He also played basketball with Charlie Murphy, which was immortalised on Chappelle's Show.
No, Prince was a fan of the NBA and the WNBA. He followed the professional game closely and supported some of the city's AAU teams after he reached stardom.
Yes, Prince would often use basketball to motivate his bandmates. He loved Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls and would refer to them when giving advice to his band. He also played basketball on stage during his shows.
