Los Angeles Rams breakout star Puka Nacua may be turning heads on the football field, but he recently revealed he’s also got hoops dreams in his heart. In a candid interview, the wide receiver opened up about his long-standing love for basketball and his aspirations to one day play the sport professionally.Nacua, who took the NFL by storm in his rookie season with record-setting performances, shared that basketball was his first athletic passion growing up. “Football gave me the platform, but basketball gave me the spark,” he said. “I’ve always loved the game — it’s in my DNA.”
The 23-year-old Utah native played both football and basketball in high school, and despite choosing the gridiron as his professional path, he’s continued to play basketball recreationally in the offseason. His athleticism, agility, and competitive spirit translate well onto the hardwood, and fans have even caught glimpses of his skills through social media clips and pickup games with fellow athletes.
When asked how serious he is about pursuing a pro basketball opportunity, Nacua smiled but didn’t rule it out. “I’m not saying I’m switching careers tomorrow,” he said. “But if the opportunity ever came, even just to try out or be part of a summer league, I’d be all in.”
Though his NFL future looks exceptionally bright, Nacua’s revelation adds an exciting new layer to his already dynamic persona. Whether or not he ever suits up in an NBA jersey, one thing is clear — Puka Nacua is not afraid to dream big, and he’s just getting started.