Ball-itics: Obama's 10 Sportiest Moments

Since taking his seat at the Oval office, Barack Obama has shown his fellow Americans and the rest of the world that he has a love for sports.

He's not just a casual sports enthusiast, he's a passionate and extremely knowledgeable fan.

The president watches ESPN and shoots hoops at the White House basketball court.

He can discuss international relations with other world leaders but he can also talk sports over a cold beer.

Here are 10 of Barack Obama's sportiest moments.

10. NBA Slam Dunk Contest: Endorsing Shannon Brown

During the Lakers' visit to the White House earlier this year, Barack Obama at a press conference wished Chicago native Shannon Brown good luck in the slam dunk contest.

Talk about pressure for Brown.

"When he did that, I didn't know what to do, man," Brown told the Los Angeles Times. "I was like, 'This dunk contest needs to hurry up.' I got kind of juiced. I need to be out there now."

The slam dunk contest would begin two weeks later. Unfortunately for Brown, the juice was drained by the time the All-Star weekend had started.

Maybe next year.

Here is the entire speech, the president talks about Shannon Brown at the 7:30 mark.

9. MLB: First Pitch at a Nationals Game

There have been many presidents before him that have had the honor of throwing out a first-pitch at a Major League Baseball game, but President Obama wore the colors of two different teams to the mound.

Barack Obama threw out the first pitch for the Washington Nationals while wearing a Chicago White Sox baseball hat and sporting a Nationals jacket.

Some members of the crowd reportedly booed when they saw him put on the White Sox cap.

The president delivered a left-handed pitch high and outside to Nats third baseman, Ryan Zimmerman.

Next time, I think he should wear cleats.

8. 2010 Winter Olympics: A Beer Bet with Stephen Harper

Before the gold medal men's hockey game between the USA and Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics, Barack Obama and Stephen Harper engaged in a friendly wager.

What was at stake? A case of beer.

After the US hockey team lost in overtime, Barack Obama sent the prime minister a case of Molson Canadian and his beer of choice — Yuengling, which is brewed in Pennsylvania.

7. College Basketball: Scrimmaging with UNC Tar Heels

As a presidential candidate, Senator Obama engaged in a pick-up game with the UNC Tar Heels. There were no reports of him actually scoring a basket, as this shot over Tyler Hansborough bounced off the rim.

Obama showed the entire nation that although he couldn't keep up with the younger college players, he still knew college basketball.

After the game, he went on the record and picked the Tar Heels to win the March 2009 Tournament.

They did just that.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

6. NBA Free Agency: Thinking about LeBron

The NBA Finals haven't even started and LeBron James impending free agency is one of the most talked about and highly anticipated events in sports.

It's not a secret, the president roots for his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls.

Although he admits that he doesn't want to mettle, he still offered the following thoughts: "Rose and Noah, that's a pretty good core. You could see LeBron fitting in pretty well."

5. 2010 NBA Finals: Rooting for the Lakers

In an interview with Marv Albert, the commander-in-chief picked the Lakers to win the NBA Finals once again. The interview aired while they were still competing against the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference finals.

Obama said that Pau Gasol "may be the best big man in the league." He also called Kobe Bryant, "the fiercest competitor in the league" and he believes that Phil Jackson is "the best coach in the NBA right now."

On January 2009, the Lakers were the first NBA team to visit Barack Obama at the White House. Clearly, the team and the president must have bonded.

No word yet if he expects to see the Lakers at the White House the rest of the time he's in office.

Obama talks Lakers vs. Celtics in the 2010 Finals at the 6:12 mark:

4. Talking Sports: ESPN Interview with Stuart Scott

Showing that he is a knowledgeable fan, Barack Obama and Stuart Scott talk about sports and play one-on-one basketball.

When asked if he had to pick a VP running mate that was an athlete, Obama says he would go with Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton or Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.

On rooting for the Cubs or the White Sox, Obama says: "White Sox, that's baseball!"

3. College Football: Calls for Playoffs

As president-elect, Barack Obama called for an eight-team college football playoff. He even told "60 minutes" that he would try to use his influence to convince the adoption of the playoff system.

Saying that the he was "fed up with computer rankings," the president also called for a playoff during a Monday Night Football game.

Now let's if the president can actually "change" the format.

2. NCAA Tournament: Presidential Bracket

Watching Barack Obama fill out his NCAA Tournament bracket has now become an annual college basketball tradition.

The man definitely knows his basketball. He's even got a Brother-in-law coaching in the Pac-10, Oregon State's Craig Robinson.

Watch him discuss his picks with ESPN's Andy Katz:

1. Soccer Dad: Cheering for His Daughters

He may be the leader of the free world but he is also a father. Despite his busy schedule he still finds the time to root for his two daughters Sasha and Malia at their soccer games.

It's no World Cup but I'm sure watching his daughter's team score a goal is always a great moment for him to witness.

There he goes again with his White Sox gear.