NBA and WNBA Players Share Most Memorable Fan Interactions

The life of a professional basketball player is definitely one of celebrity. 

For NBA and WNBA players, interacting with fans is, more often than not, an unpredictable exercise. The types of experiences that come with notoriety can be equal parts wild, emotional and downright memorable. 

At NBA All-Star Weekend, we caught up with nine hoopers who told us about the fan interactions they’ve had throughout their careers that stand out the most—and the responses were all over the map.

Karl-Anthony Towns: 'I Had to Sign the Baby'

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"Signing a baby was the wildest experience. I was young, like 15, and playing on a Dominican team, and we were in Venezuela, and I had to sign the baby. That was wild." 

Jared McCain: 'It Was Like a Meet-and-Greet Outside of Target'

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"I love Target. And so I go there a lot for my groceries and my necessities. I went in once, and these kids recognized me, and they ended up calling their friends. And then, they called their friends. And by the time I walked outside in the parking lot, it was like a meet-and-greet outside of Target. Security probably doesn't want me doing that, but it was fun, though. Might have to start DoorDashing my Target groceries now."

A'Ja Wilson: '[They] Say They Can Beat Me One-on-One'

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"When average Joes come up to me and say they can beat me one-on-one. That's really wild to me. Because I'm like, 'I think you fail to realize that this is my profession! This is my livelihood, and it's what I do. I don't take it as a joke. You're the joke!'"

Trayce Jackson-Davis: 'They Named Their Kid After Me'

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“Back when I was at Indiana, I got a DM from someone who told me they named their kid after me. That was interesting, to say the least. Definitely the most I’ve been honored by a fan. It was a little awkward to hear, and all I could really say was like, 'That’s nice; thank you very much.'"

Jaime Jaquez Jr.: 'They Really Wanted to Come Out to This and Support Me'

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"During my jersey retirement at Camarillo High School (Southern California), one of the kids there came up to me and told me that he had cancer. He and his mom said they really wanted to come out to this and support me. I got to take a picture and sign a ball for him, and that's a fan moment that will always stand out for me."

Moses Moody: 'How Appreciative They Feel from Just a High-Five or a Handshake'

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"I was just talking to my mom about how every time I come over to Oakland, there's a certain feeling I get when I talk to fans over here. Obviously, they don't get as many touches on the other side of the Bay [since the team moved to San Francisco]. And it's just how appreciative they feel from just a high-five or a handshake. It's like the same feeling with the fans when I go back to the South where I'm from too." 

Dalton Knecht: 'It Was a Really Special Moment for Me, But Especially for Him'

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"I had a Tennessee fan come out to see me play when the fires were happening [in L.A.], but then the game got canceled. I then saw something about it on Twitter, so I went out to meet up with that kid and his family while they were still in L.A. It was a really special moment for me, but especially for him."

Kelsey Plum: 'Anytime I See Little Girls with My Jersey, It's Always a Great Moment'

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"When I went to UW to get my jersey retired, I saw a little girl in the stands wearing my pro jersey. And I had this full-circle moment, cause it’s like…you play there in college, you come back, you get your jersey retired, and this little girl has been following all of it. Anytime I see little girls with my jersey, it’s always a great moment."

Gui Santos: 'When People Tell Me I'm an Inspiration, Especially Fans From Brazil'

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"I always love when people tell me I'm an inspiration, especially fans from Brazil. They say I bring them happiness, that they've looked up to me for their future goals and want to get to where I'm at or be like me when they grow up. It really means a lot, and I love those moments."