NBA Stars Embrace Chess as Mental Training Tool

From Giannis to Wembanyama, top players use the classic game to sharpen strategic skills

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:51pm by

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in progress, with players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors like blue, orange, and purple, conveying the mental challenge of anticipating opponents' moves in both chess and basketball.The strategic interplay between chess and basketball is highlighted through a cubist deconstruction of the court, capturing the mental dexterity required to excel in both games.San Francisco Today

A growing number of NBA players, including stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama, are incorporating chess into their training and game-day routines. They cite the strategic elements of the centuries-old game as beneficial for anticipating opponents' moves, recognizing patterns, and staying one step ahead on the basketball court.

Why it matters

The rise of chess among NBA players highlights how the game's focus on foresight, decision-making, and adaptability can translate to the fast-paced world of professional basketball. As the league continues to emphasize analytics and strategic thinking, chess provides players with a unique training tool to sharpen their mental skills and gain an edge on the court.

The details

Many NBA players have integrated chess into their training, with some even playing the game while doing conditioning workouts to simulate the mental challenge of making decisions under physical fatigue. Others have made chess a pre-game ritual, using the game to lock in their focus and strategic mindset before tipoff.

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo learned chess as a 10-year-old at a church in Greece.
  • In December 2024, Victor Wembanyama invited fans to play him at chess in New York City's Washington Square Park.
  • Months later in 2025, former NBA guard Derrick Rose organized an NBA players-only chess tournament in Las Vegas.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

A two-time NBA MVP who learned chess as a child and credits the game with helping him develop his strategic thinking and anticipation on the basketball court.

Derrick Rose

A former NBA guard who organized the first NBA players-only chess tournament in Las Vegas in 2025, with the goal of bringing more awareness and visibility to the game within the league.

Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs forward who has hosted chess events for fans and incorporates the game into his offseason training, using it to challenge his decision-making skills while fatigued.

Rajon Rondo

A two-time NBA champion who learned chess while in the 2020 COVID-19 bubble and plans to incorporate the game into his AAU program to engage young players.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The UCLA forward who has the goal of becoming a chess grandmaster and often plays the game with his teammates after practices.

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What they’re saying

“I knew down the stretch that LeBron gets the ball. I knew that he wanted to get downhill and make the play. I knew that he's going to call the pick-and-roll. I've played against him a lot of times, so I was just thinking ahead. Just to position myself to be more successful at the play.”

— Giannis Antetokounmpo

“When you're just sitting and you're just playing chess, you don't have to do anything else but focus on the board. But when you actually start to get some fatigue, mental fatigue, physical fatigue. I think it's harder to make right decisions, so it kind of challenges you even more.”

— Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves Center

“I figure it's like hitting two birds with one stone. Sometimes you just need to get away. You don't have the focus needed to read or the focus needed to study something, so chess is good in that sense.”

— Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Forward

The takeaway

The growing embrace of chess by NBA players highlights how the strategic elements of the classic game can translate to the fast-paced world of professional basketball, providing a unique training tool to sharpen mental skills and gain a competitive edge.