Checkmates and closeouts: Inside the NBA's quiet chess boom

NBA players are spending more time than ever working on the boards -- but we're not talking rebounds.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:00pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, conveying the strategic and mental aspects of the sport.The strategic elements of chess, from anticipating moves to recognizing patterns, are increasingly translating to the high-pressure moments of NBA competition.NYC Today

A fraternity of NBA players has sparked, championing the benefits of chess. While skill levels range, the centuries-old game offers a different perspective to on-court play, with strategic elements like anticipating moves, recognizing patterns, and staying one step ahead of an opponent translating from the chessboard to the hardwood. Some players have embraced chess publicly, while others have brought it directly to the community. The game provides a mental reset and challenges decision-making abilities, especially during the high-pressure moments of an NBA game.

Why it matters

The rise of chess in the NBA highlights how players are constantly seeking new ways to improve their mental acuity and strategic thinking, which can provide an edge on the court. The game's growing popularity across locker rooms also demonstrates the league's efforts to engage with fans and the broader community through shared interests and activities.

The details

Many NBA players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Jaylen Brown, and Victor Wembanyama, have incorporated chess into their training and pregame routines. They emphasize how the game's focus on anticipation, pattern recognition, and decision-making under pressure translates to basketball. Some players, like Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo, have even organized NBA-centric chess tournaments to promote the sport's growth within the league.

  • In January 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo used his chess skills to make a crucial defensive play against LeBron James and the Lakers.
  • In December 2024, Victor Wembanyama invited fans to play him at chess in New York City's Washington Square Park.
  • In the summer of 2025, Derrick Rose organized the 'Chesstival' tournament in Las Vegas, featuring current and former NBA players partnering with grandmasters.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

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

Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs forward who frequently incorporates chess into his training, including playing against opponents like Rudy Gobert while doing conditioning workouts.

Derrick Rose

A former NBA guard who organized the 'Chesstival' tournament in Las Vegas to bring awareness and visibility to chess within the NBA community.

Rajon Rondo

A two-time NBA champion who learned chess while in the 2020 COVID-19 bubble and now plans to incorporate the game into his AAU program, Rondo Academy.

Grant Williams

A Charlotte Hornets forward who has participated in chess clubs and tournaments since growing up, though he acknowledges he doesn't study the game as much as he should to improve his skills.

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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

“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

“It's just something to keep your brain active, right? And us athletes, we're always trying to get better and chess is something where you can clearly see whether you're getting better or not by the [rating]. For me, just tracking my progress is something that's really fun. Besides that, I just enjoy the nature of the game. There's an infinite amount to learn, which makes it very interesting to delve into.”

— Quinten Post

“I think it just locks me in. It just gets my mind sharp. Trying to assume and react to opponents' moves. Seeing things on the chess board, I think it all helps me relate to basketball in a really cool way.”

— Jaime Jaquez Jr.

What’s next

The NBA plans to continue promoting chess within the league, with Derrick Rose's 'Chesstival' tournament expected to return to Madison Square Garden in 2026 with a focus on engaging kids and women in the sport.

The takeaway

The rise of chess in the NBA highlights how players are constantly seeking new ways to sharpen their mental acuity and strategic thinking, which can provide an edge on the court. The game's growing popularity across locker rooms also demonstrates the league's efforts to engage with fans and the broader community through shared interests and activities, fostering a sense of community and intellectual stimulation beyond just the physical aspects of basketball.