Cover Celebrity fandom runs through the league in different ways, from courtside appearances to long-term ties. Here are 16 NBA superfans and the teams they consistently support (Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Celebrity fandom runs through the league in different ways, from courtside appearances to long-term ties. Here are 16 NBA superfans and the teams they consistently support (Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
1 / 1
From actors to athletes, these NBA superfans reveal unexpected team loyalties across the league
Celebrity presence at NBA games often centres on a handful of familiar courtside regulars, but a wider network of public figures follow the league with equal consistency. Some align with teams through upbringing, others through long-term residence or professional ties. These affiliations are not always foregrounded, yet they surface across interviews, appearances and repeat attendance. This list brings together 16 names whose support is established but less widely discussed, offering a broader view of how NBA superfans extend across industries. From actors to athletes and musicians, these NBA superfans reflect how the league’s audience operates well beyond sport, shaped by geography, culture and personal history.
Read more: NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo takes an equity stake in health brand IM8
1. Timothée Chalamet — New York Knicks
A regular at Madison Square Garden, Chalamet has been visible during key Knicks fixtures, including playoff appearances. Raised in Hell's Kitchen near the arena, he's a lifelong fan who won a Knicks contest at age 14 and traveled across cities—like Detroit and even from Italy—for 2025 playoff games, often in coordinated blue outfits and sharing updates on Instagram. His girlfriend Kylie Jenner has been joining him courtside in recent outings.
2. Anne Hathaway — New York Knicks
Anne Hathaway has attended multiple Knicks games over the years, often during high-profile matchups in New York. She's frequently spotted courtside in stylish Knicks merch, like orange, silver, and blue outfits for the 2025 season opener against the Chicago Bulls and earlier games versus the Charlotte Hornets.
Don’t miss: The year of Anne Hathaway: inside the star’s packed 2026 release schedule
3. Ben Stiller — New York Knicks
A consistent courtside presence, Stiller is closely associated with the Knicks across multiple seasons. He live-tweets games passionately, posed with Chalamet before the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals Game 4, predicted a Knicks win in six over the Sixers from the 2026 Met Gala red carpet, and faced backlash for a poorly timed "Got it done" post amid a security incident.
4. Brenda Song — Los Angeles Lakers
Based in Los Angeles, Song has been seen at Lakers games, aligning with the city’s dominant franchise. A self-proclaimed die-hard fan, she was mic'd up courtside with Macaulay Culkin for a 2025 playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves featuring LeBron James and Luka Doncic; she once got starstruck meeting Kobe Bryant.
5. Jessica Alba — Los Angeles Lakers
Alba has frequently attended Lakers games, often seated courtside during marquee fixtures. She turned heads at Crypto.com Arena for a 2025 matchup against the Houston Rockets, where Luka Doncic led with 39 points, and inspired Austin Reaves' strong performance with her presence. Her appearances consistently generate buzz on social media.
6. Barack Obama — Chicago Bulls
Raised in Chicago, Obama has long supported the Bulls and has referenced the team publicly. A dedicated fan of the 1990s dynasty, he told Reggie Miller his favorite era was beating Indiana and hailed the 1996 Bulls as the greatest team ever after the Cavaliers' win over the Warriors. He often cited Michael Jordan's era in speeches.
7. Bill Hader — Oklahoma City Thunder
Born in Oklahoma, Hader has expressed support for the Thunder, reflecting his ties to the state. The Tulsa native sat courtside for Game 2 of the 2012 NBA Finals, joking he'd be the Thunder's Jack Nicholson if he could travel to every game, and celebrated their 2025 Finals return as remarkable growth from his youth.
8. Drake — Toronto Raptors
As the Raptors’ global ambassador, Drake remains one of the most visible NBA superfans linked to a single franchise. Appointed in 2013, the Toronto native has boosted branding through merchandise, fan engagement, aesthetics, and locker room morale, forging a deep pop culture tie. He holds all-access passes for courtside and locker rooms league-wide. Drake's high-profile support elevates the Raptors globally.
9. Jack Nicholson — Los Angeles Lakers
Nicholson’s long-standing courtside presence has made him synonymous with Lakers home games. Holding tickets since 1970, the 86-year-old icon returned in 2023 after a hiatus for a playoff win over Memphis and hosted Lakers at his Beverly Hills parties, like post-1988 championship celebrations. He's the face of their celebrity fan gallery.
10. E-40 — Golden State Warriors
A Bay Area figure, E-40 is closely linked to the Warriors and is frequently present at games. The Vallejo rapper, with courtside seats by the bench, is their No. 1 fan—stoic like Spike Lee for Knicks—visiting the White House post-championship and publicly backing them on First Take, though ejected from a 2023 Kings playoff amid bias claims.
11. Kevin Hart — Philadelphia 76ers
Hart is a vocal supporter of the 76ers and regularly attends games in Philadelphia. A front-row fixture, he celebrates big plays and trash-talks opponents, though fans once jokingly blamed losses on his presence—like after ringing the bell pre-Heat game—and players like Ben Simmons teased his antics. His Philly passion shines at playoffs and events like BET Awards 2025.
12. Hasan Minhaj — Sacramento Kings
Minhaj has shown support for the Kings, reflecting his Northern California roots and regional ties. A die-hard enduring their 16-year playoff drought, he detailed sad facts pre-2017 draft on The Ringer and stays loyal despite pain, loving the city and once becoming a Carmelo Anthony fan via Nike ads.
13. Sheryl Crow — Milwaukee Bucks
Crow has been linked to the Bucks, adding a less visible celebrity connection to the franchise. The singer confirmed her fandom in interviews, attending Game 4 of playoffs wearing a Khris Middleton jersey and praising the team and Milwaukee before Game 2 in 2021.
14. Jay-Z — Brooklyn Nets
Jay-Z’s involvement during the Nets’ move to Brooklyn established a lasting association with the team. He helped design logos and apparel for the Barclays Center debut in 2012 with sold-out concerts, owned a small stake until divesting in 2013 for NBA agent certification, and drove the relocation from New Jersey.
15. Tiger Woods — Orlando Magic
Woods has been associated with the Magic, reflecting his long-standing ties to Florida. The golf legend has supported the team for years, attending Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals against Detroit at Amway Arena.
16. Guy Fieri — Golden State Warriors
A Northern California native, Fieri has been a visible supporter of the Warriors during their recent era. A Chase Center regular, the chef claims he urged Kevin Durant's agent during playoffs to join Golden State, influencing the 2016 free agency and celebrating their dynasty as a Bay Area staple.
These NBA superfans show how celebrity fandom spans industries and geographies. From courtside regulars to quieter supporters, they underscore the league's deep cultural ties.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
