ADHD is often shown as an insurmountable mountain to climb in a competitive profession like sports. Even though hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and lack of focus can be significant hurdles for athletes, managing and dealing with these traits isn’t impossible. Through sheer determination and hard work, these challenges can be overcome— with numerous renowned basketball players proving this time and again.
Basketball is a highly physical game. A tall stature and athletic build are prerequisites for impressive shooting, passing, jumping, and dribbling abilities. Besides the contact-heavy aspects, the game’s mental side is often overlooked. An elite basketball player— especially someone in the NBA— must have quick decision-making abilities, game IQ, laser-like focus, and high awareness. But neurodivergent people may struggle to maintain all these traits. Despite the difficulties, these popular NBA players with ADHD beat the odds, proving it isn’t a barrier to greatness on the court.
1) Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is one of the most inspiring male sports stars in the world with reported ADHD, showing how to turn this weakness into a superpower. Often regarded as one greatest to grace the court, he led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships, making them a force to be reckoned with in the 1990s.
Keeping his incredible accomplishments aside, Jordan never publicly acknowledged his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but he regularly spoke of his struggles as a basketball player— many of those challenges would resonate with ADHD characteristics. His hunger for success and drive to reach the pinnacle—alongside hyperfocus in each game and hitting emotional lows and highs— are common traits in neurodivergent athletes. MJ is a role model to millions of people with ADHD who aspire to triumph over neurodivergent challenges.
2) Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett is an iconic figure in history, playing a remarkable 21 seasons. Though he donned jerseys for three teams, his career peaked at the Boston Celtics— where he lifted his only NBA Championship of his illustrious career. Surprisingly, even after competing at the highest level for over two decades, he wasn’t officially diagnosed with ADHD until the last phase of his career.
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In Kevin’s autobiography KG: A to Z, which was released in 2021, the former power forward talked about ADHD and continuous challenges with it— from childhood school years to early basketball days. Addressing his neurodivergence in an interview with Trevor Noah, the NBA legend stated that he didn’t comprehend the reasons behind the difficulties he faced in childhood, due to his late diagnosis. He continued pushing limits despite the setback, and his condition didn’t hold him back from achieving greatness.
3) Jalen Rose
Jalen Rose was a small forward who played for six NBA teams throughout his career, including the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, and Phoenix Suns. Despite not winning the NBA Championship, he reached the NBA finals in 2000, representing the Indiana Pacers. In Jalen’s playing days, ADHD wasn’t widely understood by the general population. Hence, he wasn’t diagnosed with it until the Indiana Pacers’ team doctor identified his condition.
During his time with the Indiana Pacers, Jalen Rose once underwent a round of questions by their team doctor— following which he was medically diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed medicines. Rose had irregular playtime at that time, so he doubted whether it was a proper diagnosis or just a cover-up to keep him benched. Nonetheless, he enjoyed a respectable NBA career, lasting thirteen seasons.
4) Shaq
With four NBA Championships and a sensational career spanning nearly two decades, Shaquille O’Neal ranks among the all-time greats. He played NBA for six different teams— starting with the Orlando Magic, then heading to Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and finally the Boston Celtics. Following his basketball career, he has become a notable public figure, and he hasn’t shied away from talking about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The former Los Angeles Lakers player was diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, affecting his school grades and early basketball career. Through clever tactics, he dealt with his lack of focus and impulsiveness in his younger days. In an interview with Stephen Colbert in 2022, the legendary center discussed his neurodivergence condition,
” I have to have my Chi-Chi. Like if too much is going on, I can’t concentrate. I have super ADHD”.
5) Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd enjoyed a prolonged NBA career, that spanned nineteen years, from 1994 to 2013. Regarded as one of the most well-rounded point guards in basketball, he is both an NBA Champion and Olympic gold medalist. Besides Dallas Mavericks— where he currently works as a head coach— the 52-year-old had stints with New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, and Phoenix Suns.
Both as a player and a coach, Jason Kidd has demonstrated his adaptability and expertise, delivering high-level performances on and off the court. His neurodivergence is publicly unconfirmed, but his characteristics— from high energy and impulsiveness to hyperfocus— have led to speculation about ADHD. Moreover, several sources have cited that Jason Kidd is one of the famous NBA players with ADHD.
