Larry Nance Jr has made it clear that his involvement in the English Premier League goes far beyond financial interests or expanding his global presence; it is driven entirely by his passion for soccer. He recently revealed that if given a choice, he would exchange his basketball skills for a soccer career in an instant, emphasizing how deeply soccer resonates with him.
I’m good at basketball, that’s the reason I play it, but like my true passion is really like, if i could take my talent in basketball and put it in another sport I’d give it up for soccer in a heartbeat,
Nance Jr said on the latest episode of Brian Windhorst and the Hoops Collective.
Overview of Nance Jr.’s NBA Career and Soccer Ownership
Although Larry Nance Jr has carved out a respectable career in the NBA as a forward-center, including time with several teams such as the Lakers, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Pelicans, and Hawks, he has largely remained outside the superstar spotlight occupied by the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Despite this, Nance Jr shares unique common ground with such elite players in his off-court investment choices.
He belongs to a select group of NBA athletes who hold stakes in soccer teams, positioning him within a rare circle alongside James and Durant. Nance Jr has been a minority owner of Leeds United, a club competing in the English Premier League, for the past three years alongside TJ McConnell. This period has coincided with a particularly triumphant phase for Leeds, who recently secured promotion to the Premier League.
The Significance of Leeds United’s Promotion to the Premier League
Leeds United’s elevation to the Premier League marks a key milestone both for the club and for Larry Nance Jr personally. Due to the English system of promotion and relegation, the pressures on teams to perform each season are immense: the three lowest-ranked Premier League teams are relegated to the division below, while the top three clubs from lower divisions earn promotion by proving their merit. Leeds achieving this after years of effort is a notable triumph for Nance Jr as an owner and fan.
This achievement came just as Nance Jr was speaking in the interview, underlining the emotional and symbolic value this breakthrough holds for him amid his dual identity as basketball player and soccer enthusiast.
From Youth Soccer Player to NBA Forward: Nance Jr.’s Sporting Journey
Larry Nance Jr’s passion for soccer dates back to his early childhood, long before basketball became his main pursuit. For the first 14 or 15 years of his life, his focus was exclusively on playing soccer. However, as he grew taller, his coaches increasingly placed him in the position of goalkeeper—a role that curtailed his chances to be actively involved offensively, steering him away from the style of play he loved.
It was actually basketball that was late in my life. I played soccer from the moment I could. My friends played, so as a kid, that’s what I wanted to do. You know, I played soccer for 15-14 years of my life and then eventually got too big and they tried to put me in goal,
Nance Jr said on the podcast.
Goalkeeping, while vital to a team’s defense, limited his ability to carry the ball or attack, unlike basketball, where Nance Jr enjoys running the court in both defensive and offensive roles. Despite his success in basketball, his emotional fulfillment still leans heavily toward soccer.
Living His Soccer Passion Through Ownership
Though basketball remains his profession, Nance Jr channels much of his soccer enthusiasm through his minority ownership of Leeds United. This role allows him to stay intimately connected with the sport he loves and influenced his early years, even as his basketball career continues. His journey highlights a rare blend of talents and interests that intersect at the highest levels of two very different sports.