Top Basketball Influencers in 2026
Zaver lists 4,529 vetted basketball influencers on Instagram with a median audience of 28,475 followers. The segment's biggest hubs are Los Angeles, New York, Chicago. Every profile below includes follower stats, engagement benchmarked against the niche, an AI quality screen and a price tier - click through for the full report.
The Basketball segment features a diverse group of 4,529 creators who engage audiences with content related to the sport. The median follower count among these creators is 28,475, indicating a substantial reach within the community. Key cities where these creators are concentrated include Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, which are known for their vibrant basketball culture. While the average engagement rate is not specified, marketers should consider the potential for interaction based on follower counts and the passion of basketball fans. Some content may require brand review.
| # | Creator | Followers | ER | Niche | Price tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  NBAβ@nba | 88M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 2 |  Wardell Curryβ@stephencurry30 | 57M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 3 |  House of Highlightsβ@houseofhighlights | 51M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 4 |  DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D.β@shaq | 35M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 5 |  Los Angeles Lakersβ@lakers | 25M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 6 |  Bleacher Reportβ@bleacherreport | 22M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 7 |  Russell Westbrookβ@russwest44 | 22M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 8 |  Kyrie A. Irvingβ@kyrieirving | 20M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 9 |  dwyanewadeβ@dwyanewade | 19M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 10 |  Lonzo Ballβ@zo | 17M | - | basketball | premium | Open profile β |
| 11 |  Klay Thompsonβ@klaythompson | 16M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 12 |  Giannis Antetokounmpoβ@giannis_an34 | 16M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 13 |  Cleveland Cavaliersβ@cavs | 16M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 14 |  Nike Basketballβ@nikebasketball | 16M | - | basketball | premium | Open profile β |
| 15 |  Allen Iversonβ@theofficialai3 | 14M | - | basketball | premium | Open profile β |
| 16 |  Bill Russellβ@kodakblack | 13M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 17 |  Luka Doncicβ@lukadoncic | 11M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 18 |  LaMelo Ballβ@melo | 11M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 19 |  Jimmy Butlerβ@jimmybutler | 9.7M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 20 |  Damian Lillardβ@damianlillard | 9.6M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 21 |  Paul Georgeβ@ygtrece | 9.3M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 22 |  Markelle Fultzβ@markellefultz | 8.6M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 23 |  Boston Celticsβ@celtics | 8.3M | - | basketball | premium | Open profile β |
| 24 |  Ballislifeβ@ballislife | 8.2M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 25 |  Carmelo Anthonyβ@carmeloanthony | 7.9M | - | basketball | premium | Open profile β |
| 26 |  @nbatvβ@nbatv | 7.7M | - | basketball | premium | Open profile β |
| 27 |  NBA on ESPNβ@nbaonespn | 7.5M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 28 |  JR Smithβ@teamswish | 7.4M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 29 |  Jayson Tatumππβ@jaytatum0 | 7.2M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 30 |  Joel "The Process" Embiidβ@joelembiid | 7.0M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 31 |  Miami HEATβ@miamiheat | 6.5M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 32 |  Victor Wembanyama π«π·β@wemby | 6.3M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 33 |  Houston Rocketsβ@houstonrockets | 6.2M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 34 |  San Antonio Spursβ@spurs | 6.2M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 35 |  NBA Historyβ@nbahistory | 5.9M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 36 |  lululemonβ@lululemon | 5.8M | - | basketball | premium | Open profile β |
| 37 |  New York Knicks πβ@nyknicks | 5.7M | - | basketball | premium | Open profile β |
| 38 |  Anthony Edwardsβ@theanthonyedwards_ | 5.5M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 39 |  Real Madrid Basketballβ@realmadridbasket | 5.3M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 40 |  Milwaukee Bucksβ@bucks | 5.3M | - | basketball | premium | Open profile β |
| 41 |  Dennis SchroΜderβ@ds17_fg | 5.2M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 42 |  ANGEL REESEβ@angel.reese | 5.2M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 43 |  LA Clippersβ@laclippers | 5.1M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 44 |  Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderβ@shai | 5.1M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 45 |  Ernest Owensβ@ernez540 | 5.1M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 46 |  Trae Youngβ@traeyoung | 4.8M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 47 |  Zion Williamsonβ@zionwilliamson | 4.8M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 48 |  USA Basketballβ@usabasketball | 4.7M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 49 |  Karl-Anthony Townsβ@karltowns | 4.7M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
| 50 |  Brooklyn Netsβ@brooklynnets | 4.7M | - | basketball | elite | Open profile β |
Hiring basketball creators: what to look for
When hiring creators in the Basketball segment, brands should prioritize authenticity and alignment with their values. It's essential to evaluate the creator's engagement with their audience, as this can significantly impact campaign effectiveness. Brands should also consider the creator's style and how it resonates with basketball enthusiasts. Collaborating with creators who have a strong presence in top cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago can enhance visibility and relevance in the basketball community.
Frequently asked questions
What is the typical pricing for creators in the Basketball segment?
Pricing can vary widely based on the creator's follower count and engagement levels, typically falling into several tiers.
What is the average engagement rate in this segment?
The average engagement rate for creators in the Basketball segment is not specified.
How many creators are there in the Basketball segment?
There are 4,529 creators in the Basketball segment.