From Courts to Charts: NBA & WNBA Stars Who’ve Been Name-Dropped in Rap
Iconic 3-point shooters Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu at the 2024 NBA All-Star Game (Stacy Revere | Getty Images)
Basketball’s impact on culture isn’t something you can miss - from influencing fashion to media to music, the impact of basketball and its greatest athletes is far-reaching and inspirational. Below, we’ve included some of the coolest cameos of NBA and WNBA names in rap. If you’re looking for some inspirational workout songs or just something to jam to, we’ve got you covered with these tunes that mention your NBA and WNBA favorites.
A’ja Wilson: “Outside” by Cardi B
Las Vegas Aces Star, A’ja Wilson (Candice Ward | Getty Images)
A’ja’s recent mention in Cardi B’s “Outside” was so fun. A’ja is a legendary player, leading the WNBA in blocks and recently releasing her highly sought-after A’One basketball line, so her name was sure to find its way into a song sooner or later. Cardi B has also been invested in the basketball world lately, recently launching her relationship with Stefon Diggs while sitting courtside at Game 4 of the Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers - how iconic.
“And some ladies out in Vegas, A’ja Wil’, what’s poppin’, boo?”
Luka Dončić: “Texas” by BigXthaPlug
Luka Dončić during his time with the Dallas Mavericks (David Sherman | Getty Images)
Okay, we know this one might still be a sore subject, but Texas by BigXthaPlug is too good a song not to mention. After a blockbuster trade in February of 2025 to send Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony David to the Dallas Mavericks, Luka’s name was in the headlines for months due to the surprising nature of the trade. You might also recognize this song from the Nike commercial of Dallas Wing’s Paige Bueckers packing up a truck to move and start her WNBA career in Dallas following the draft in April. It’s sure to make an appearance again following June 25th, when the NBA’s #1 pick will also get drafted to Dallas. We’re calling it - Dallas is about to be basketball central in 2026. Even though Luka no longer plays for the Mavs, he’s still balling in LA and loved immensely by his fans in Texas.
“And I can’t forget ‘bout them Texans
I been feelin’ like Luka how I ball that sh*t a blessing’”
Stephen Curry: “hakuna matata” by Gunna
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen “Steph” Curry (Jane Tyska | Bay Area News Group)
The list of rap songs mentioning Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors could go on and on forever - he’s a legend in the basketball world as well as the music world and is mentioned in nearly every bar about quiet and lethal success.
“A dirty 30, I hit it like Curry, they hit me, I don’t even hollar (yeah, don’t even hollar)”
Caitlin Clark: “ILBB2” by Jorjiana & Glorilla
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark has taken the basketball world by storm within the past few years, so it’s no surprise she’s started to show up in rap songs. This girl-power anthem by Jorjiana and Glorilla was the perfect song to mention Caitlin and hint at her insane success.
“They callin’ me Caitlin, I’m ballin’, get your paper up”
Ervin “Magic” Johnson: “Magic Johnson” by ian
Magic Johnson with the Lakers against the Dallas Mavericks (PCN Photography | Alamy)
Although retired now, Magic Johnson’s name is legendary in both sports and popular culture, including this recent hype song by artist ian. Magic Johnson played 13 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, retiring briefly for health reasons associated with contracting HIV before returning for another 32 games.
“Pass it off, ma-magic trick, money tall than Magic Johnson
I don’t see no funds involved, so you can’t get attention from me”
Lisa Leslie: “My Chick Bad” by Ludacris & Nicki Minaj
Lisa Leslie holding her Championship Trophy with the Los Angeles Sparks (Andrew D. Bernstein | Getty Images)
Lisa Leslie is and has always been a baller, just like Nicki Minaj says in My Chick Bad. While playing for her hometown team, the Los Angeles Sparks, in 2002, Lisa Leslie made history as the first woman to dunk in the WNBA. She’s still extremely active in the women's basketball community, in the limelight, most recently for her mentorship of the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese.
“Running down the court, I’m dunkin’ on ‘em, Lisa Leslie”
Michael Jordan: “Jumpman” by Drake & Future
Michael Jordan playing for the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 Eastern Conference finals (Fernando Medina | Getty Images)
Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Michael Jordan’s “Jumpman” logo, associated with the Nike Jordan brand, is extremely recognizable and inspired the title for this song, which mentions MJ by Drake and Future. Not only does Drake reference Michael Jordan and the Jumpman brand, but also “Chi-Town,” or Chicago, where Jordan played for the Bulls for 13 years.
“Jumpman, Jumpman, Jumpman, f*ck was you expecting? Woo
Chi-Town, Chi-Town, Michael Jordan just had text me, woo”
LeBron James: “Devil in a New Dress” by Kanye West
Los Angeles Lakers Icon LeBron James (Adam Pantozi | Getty Images)
Similarly to Steph Curry, we could go on and on about the impact that LeBron James has had on popular culture and music - he’s easily one of the most recognizable names in basketball, even if you’ve never watched a game before. Kanye West’s song Devil in a New Dress gives credit where credit is due and hints at LeBron’s G.O.A.T status, and is only one of many to do so.
“Hood phenomenon, the LeBron of rhyme
Hard to be humble when you stunting on a jumbotron”