15 NBA players and their rapper counterparts

May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Recording artist Drake embraces Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) as they celebrate a 89-84 win over Indiana Pacers in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

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GEORGE, WA – MAY 27: Vince Staples performs during the Sasquatch! Music Festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre on May 27, 2016 in George, Washington. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) /

4. Damian Lillard and Vince Staples

Okay so this is the part where I don’t try to hide how much I absolutely love these two dudes. Both Damian Lillard and Vince Staples are just starting out but both can be all timers. Come at me.

Lillard is the NBA’s closest thing to Stephen Curry and after Staples released Summertime ’06 I’m convinced it’ll be just a few short years until we’re talking about him in the same breath as Kendrick and Chance as top in class.

And you know what? They act like they don’t even care. Not that they don’t want to be great. They do. You can tell by the confidence and near-anger they carry themselves with. They just don’t care if you or me think they’re great. They know they are headed to being great but not there yet. And they’re not scared of the work.

But beyond their star potential, both stay true to their roots. They carry it everywhere.

Vince’s life in the Ramona Park neighborhood of Long Beach fed all 20 tracks to his 2015 debut record. “Park Ramona, Pop block the corner/ Givin’ hell ’till it’s frozen over, I ain’t never from nothin'” goes Staples’ cotton-mouthed rap on “Norf Norf” as he concludes a verse about a shooting in his neighborhood.

Similarly, Dame’s past fuels him and seeps into everything he does, wearing the number zero to represent the “O” in Oakland.

Knowing that Staples and Dame are here and just getting started ensures that the future of rap and basketball are in good hands.

Next: 3. Dion Waiters