NBA Players Show Growing Interest in XRP
Canadian basketball star Tristan Thompson has noticed his NBA teammates becoming increasingly curious about cryptocurrencies, particularly XRP. In recent interviews, Thompson revealed that players frequently discuss the digital asset in their group chats. Whenever XRP’s price moves upward, teammates often ask if they should buy more.
But Thompson takes a different approach than encouraging quick trades. He advises his fellow players to accumulate XRP with a long-term perspective. He suggests applying the same dedication that helped them succeed in professional basketball to their cryptocurrency investments. This means thinking beyond short-term price movements and focusing on the bigger picture.
Broader Crypto Vision
Thompson’s advice extends beyond just XRP. The Cleveland Cavaliers player also encourages teammates to consider the broader cryptocurrency market and the future of digital finance. He envisions a world where people rely less on traditional banks and more on digital wallets for managing money.
This shift, according to Thompson, will fundamentally change how future generations interact with financial systems. His comments reflect the growing influence of cryptocurrency in professional sports, where athletes are increasingly becoming both investors and advocates for digital assets.
Thompson has been vocal about cryptocurrency for several years now. He even hosts a podcast dedicated to the topic. Looking back, he sometimes wishes he had embraced digital assets earlier in his career, particularly before signing his $82 million contract with the Cavaliers in 2015.
He recently reflected that if he had pushed for his signing bonus to be paid in Bitcoin instead of cash, it would have been considered one of the boldest financial moves in American sports history.
XRP Compared to NBA Legends
Though Thompson is clearly a Bitcoin enthusiast, he frequently discusses XRP as well. Back in June, he made an interesting comparison between digital assets and NBA legends. He described XRP as being similar to Kevin Durant, while Bitcoin and Ethereum were comparable to Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Thompson isn’t the only NBA veteran showing interest in XRP. Earlier this year, Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen asked his followers on social media whether XRP could realistically reach $10 by 2026. This growing interest from sports figures suggests cryptocurrency is gaining mainstream attention in unexpected places.
Amid this increased attention, XRP has shown some positive movement recently. The token has experienced a slight recovery, rising nearly 3% over the past 24 hours. It’s currently trading around $2.85 per token.
What’s interesting about Thompson’s approach is his emphasis on patience and long-term thinking. In a space often dominated by hype and quick trades, he’s encouraging his teammates to think differently. Perhaps there’s something to be said for applying the discipline required for professional sports success to financial investments.
I think this trend of athletes getting involved in cryptocurrency will likely continue. They have the financial means to take calculated risks and the platform to influence others. Whether this leads to more mainstream adoption remains to be seen, but it’s certainly making cryptocurrency conversations more common in professional sports circles.
