When I found out a few months ago that Percy Miller, Jr., perhaps better known to you as Lil' Romeo, received a full scholarship to play basketball at Southern Cal, it got me thinking about other rappers who tried to play ball and established ballers who released music.
Naturally, I came up with rankings in an attempt to discover the best of both worlds. Each rapper/baller received a rating, 1-100, for both his skills in the studio and on the court. If he's an NBA player, he can't get lower than an 75 for his basketball rating, no matter how bad you think he is.
Athletes have statistics, which obviously makes it easier to quantify their performance than artists. So for the rappers, you'll just have to respect my judgment and realize that of course it's subjective (check out dropmagazine.com if you want to read some of my hip hop album reviews).
So without further ado, the rankings:
8. Troy Hudson
Hoops
After averaging more than 20 ppg at Southern Illinois University, Hudson went undrafted in 1997. However, he worked his way into the NBA, earning a spot on the Utah Jazz roster. Hudson proved his game was good enough for the NBA, and he's floated around the league ever since, playing for the Clippers, Magic, Timberwolves, and most recently, the Warriors.
The 6'1" point guard averaged 14 points and five assists in the 2002-03 season with Minnesota, and played well in the playoffs. But injuries have plagued Hudson since that career-best season and he is currently without a contract.
Rating: 75
Hip Hop
Recording under the name "T-Hud," Hudson released an album, Undrafted, last May. The 18-track album featured established artists such as Ray J, Three 6 Mafia, and UGK. Despite the big-name guests, Undrafted sold a measly 78 copies in its first week. 78! The samples I listened to weren't entirely laughable, but his rap skills are worse than his jumpshot, and this is a career 40 percent shooter we're talking about.
Lyric Sample: "Come take a ride with me away see how these gangstas like to play / Benz, big body, bring your friends good lawdy" ("Tru Luv")
Rating: 50
Total Rating: 125
7. Lil Bow Wow
Hoops
In the 2002 film, Like Mike, Bow Wow discovers a pair of magical basketball sneakers that give him the talent of an NBA superstar. Oh, but let me assure you, in this case, art does not resemble reality in any way.
In a 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend Celebrity Game, Bow Wow shot 4-12 from the field, chucking up threes at every possible opportunity. I know he's short, but he was 20 years old at the time of the game, so the fact that he could barely reach the basket from 23 feet is pathetic.
Oh yeah, and I can't forget Bow Wow getting swatted by R&B singer Chris Brown. Still, the fact that he keeps getting invited back to play in these games shows he must have some level of competency.
Rating: 45
Hip Hop
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7 months ago
It's easy. A.I.
7 months ago
I cant believe you didnt put Webber on there, his album was better most of the NBA guys you put on this list, other than Shaq, that song with Kurupt was off the charts!!!
Good article though!
7 months ago
Haha! Wow... I just wasted a minute of my life watching Aaron Carter's video. I don't remember it being THAT bad...
I heard AI's album was pretty bad. After I heard it got banned from the radio I wasn't exactly running out to go listen to it.
7 months ago
i can see why it got banned from radio, lol. now how did ron ron (i mean tru warier) get on this list. all you had to do was go to his website for a few seconds to figure out he was wack.
7 months ago
I'm going to have so say Shaq's best contribution to planet earth is "Shazam!" That movie should have won the Oscar.
7 months ago
What I trip, from a guy who well still don't care for rap, lol. But really enjoyed reading your artical as I'm a big Spurs fan and never knew Tony Parker was a Rapper. I mean Spurs has always been looked upon as the Good Guys and when I see Rappers they like you said, look like a bunch of thugs, Duncan, lol, your right that is soooo funny as he just dosn't seem like that type of person. I guess I just don't know that much about the music, just the way people act when shooting them makes me think they think they are tough, don't mess with me, lol, is the image I get from them. I will have to share this video with my wife as we love a good laugh. Have a Blessed Day.
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