Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of fans across all continents. The sport is especially popular in North America, where the National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the largest and most profitable professional sports leagues. The popularity of basketball is due to its fast-paced and high-scoring nature, as well as its accessibility to people of all ages and skill levels. In addition, the sport has a strong global following, with many international players competing in the NBA and national leagues around the world. Here is a list of the top 10 most popular Basketball players on Instagram.
In the last decade, Basketball players have had a large fan following for themselves overall social media platforms. The only way to know about one’s favorite NBA player is through social media. And, in an advanced world like ours, where social media is just not a platform for news or information but rather a globalised platform for interacting, building, and forming global connections.
The immense popularity of basketball and its talented athletes has resulted in a significant online presence, particularly on social media platforms. Top basketball players from around the globe have garnered substantial followings on Instagram, with their fans demonstrating their admiration and affection through their engagement in the players’ posts. This is a testament to the global appeal of the sport and the impact that its athletes have on their fans.
LeBron James laps the field as the most-followed NBA player on Instagram with 155 million followers, nearly three times more than the next most popular player, Stephen Curry. Despite not being the player he once was at the peak of his powers, Russell Westbrook remains a favored IG follow in third place. The controversial Kyrie Irving is in fourth, with Lonzo Ball rounding out the top five, even though the 25-year-old guard hasn’t played an NBA game since Jan. 14, 2022 due to possibly career-ending left knee issues.
Without further ado, here is the complete list of the most popular NBA players on Instagram. The athletes mentioned below are not only the 10 most followed NBA players on Instagram but also in the whole sport of basketball.
Which NBA Player has the most followers on Instagram?
LeBron James is the most followed NBA player on Instagram with his 80.3 million followers. LeBron is one of the most recognized sports stars in the world: his enormous popularity goes beyond the field and also enters other areas of society such as politics and entertainment.
Most Followed NBA Players on Instagram
- LeBron James: 155 million followers
- Stephen Curry: 52.2 million
- Russell Westbrook: 22.5 million
- Kyrie Irving: 19.2 million
- Lonzo Ball: 17.2 million
- Klay Thompson: 15.5 million
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: 15.2 million
- Kevin Durant: 13.3 million
- James Harden: 11.8 million
- Chris Paul: 11.6 million
- Paul George: 10 million
- LaMelo Ball: 10 million
- Damian Lillard: 9.8 million
- Ja Morant: 9.8 million
- Jimmy Butler: 9.2 million
- Luka Dončić: 8.3 million
- Markelle Fultz: 8.3 million
- Ben Simmons: 7.1 million
- Joel Embiid: 7 million
- Jayson Tatum: 6.3 million
- Devin Booker: 5.5 million
- Zion Williamson: 5.4 million
- Trae Young: 5 million
- Kyle Kuzma: 4.9 million
Top 10 Most Popular Basketball Players on Instagram
Carmelo Anthony
A return to NBA action with the Portland Trail Blazers kept Carmelo Anthony on this list. If you are looking at the greatest NBA slam dunks, chances are you will see footage of Anthony.
He has found a role on Portland, embracing being a supporting player to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in a way that he didn’t at his previous stops.
Anthony is one of the modern great scorers. Ten times selected for the All-Star game and six times All-NBA, his longevity, his peak performance, are sometimes forgotten amid the late-career turmoil.
Lonzo Ball
The nine others are long-term NBA names. The majority (perhaps all) will be headed to the Hall of Fame. Lonzo Ball is a flawed, albeit talented, guard in his third year.
His most significant moment in the NBA to date was being traded for Anthony Davis, a deal that made the Lakers NBA betting favourites.
Ball’s journey to six million Instagram followers is partly due to his activity on his account. It’s partly the result of playing for the Lakers.
A lot of it, though, is down to the fanfare surrounding him on his way to the league and the attention his father, LaVar, gets. The Ball family are celebrities beyond the NBA.
Paul George
Paul George has done a lot of talking over the last few years. Some of it has been vital (opening up about mental health struggles), other parts have been less impressive.
George has taken to Instagram occasionally to tell everyone how little he cares what they think. How much anyone believes that is down to personal interpretation.
One thing is for sure – he’s under huge pressure to deliver on his Playoff P nickname next season.
Chris Paul
From Los Angeles to Houston, from Houston to Oklahoma City, Chris Paul has been moved around the league. He’s likely on the trade block again this offseason after a strong season with the Thunder.
A contract which looked untradeable is suddenly an asset for Sam Presti, provoking trade rumours galore.
Could CP3 be taking his talents to Madison Square Garden? Could the Milwaukee Bucks swing a deal? All will be revealed over the next few months.
James Harden
A perennial MVP candidate in 888 betting, Houston Rockets guard James Harden is a private person by the standards of NBA superstars.
He infrequently gives one-to-one interviews and isn’t all that active on his social channels. That hasn’t stopped Harden racking up millions of Instagram followers.
He might still be waiting for playoff success, and it’s a new era of Rockets basketball coming up, but he remains one of the league’s biggest names.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant isn’t shy of a debate on social media. He’s frequently engaged with fans and NBA writers on Twitter, often calling people out when they criticise him. The two-time Finals MVP is a great follow.
Durant returns to NBA action at the start of the 2021 season after a lengthy lay-off with an Achilles injury.
One of the three best players in the league when healthy, if he can get back to the player he was, the Brooklyn Nets will be legitimate title contenders.
Kyrie Irving
Whether it’s flat-earth theories or making barely sensical comments about his teammates, no one could ever call Kyrie Irving boring.
He also hit perhaps the biggest shot in NBA history in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
Irving isn’t the perfect teammate, nor is he the perfect player. In full flow, though, he’s mesmerising to watch, leaving defenders baffled with his superhuman handles and physics-defying lay-ups.
Russell Westbrook
Most NBA stars have their group of devout fans. Russell Westbrook’s group of adoring supporters are the most vocal in the NBA.
Westbrook is a divisive figure on and off the court, a thrilling player to watch, but often inefficient. Of course, people aren’t following him on Instagram for his efficiency.
He’s been outspoken about his split with Kevin Durant and cemented himself as one of the league’s biggest names when he averaged a triple-double, becoming the first player to do so since Oscar Robertson.
Steph Curry
There are fair questions to ask about Steph Curry’s place in NBA history. Is he top 20? Is he top 10 all-time? No one can reasonably doubt how likeable he is, however. Curry’s Instagram account is a mix of family photos and basketball content.
During lockdown back in March, he even hosted a live Q&A with Dr Fauci to teach people about coronavirus.
Curry is a way off King James’ follower tally, but his 31.4 million puts him far clear of his nearest competitor, which feels an accurate reflection of his standing in the NBA.
LeBron James
As of the end of September 2020, LeBron James is the 33rd-most followed account on Instagram. Several football clubs and brands are ahead of him – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the only athletes with greater followings.
James is very active on Instagram, posting stories most days. There are family snaps, videos from the court and graphics of his and his teammates’ achievements.
Most notably of late, James has used his account to campaign against social injustice and push his More Than A Vote movement.