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 |  NBA✓@nba | 88M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 2 |  Wardell Curry✓@stephencurry30 | 57M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 3 |  House of Highlights✓@houseofhighlights | 51M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 4 |  DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D.✓@shaq | 35M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 5 |  Los Angeles Lakers✓@lakers | 25M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 6 |  Bleacher Report✓@bleacherreport | 22M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 7 |  Russell Westbrook✓@russwest44 | 22M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 8 |  Kyrie A. Irving✓@kyrieirving | 20M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 9 |  dwyanewade✓@dwyanewade | 19M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 10 |  Lonzo Ball✓@zo | 17M | — | basketball | premium | View profile → |
| 11 |  Klay Thompson✓@klaythompson | 16M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 12 |  Giannis Antetokounmpo✓@giannis_an34 | 16M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 13 |  Cleveland Cavaliers✓@cavs | 16M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 14 |  Nike Basketball✓@nikebasketball | 16M | — | basketball | premium | View profile → |
| 15 |  Allen Iverson✓@theofficialai3 | 14M | — | basketball | premium | View profile → |
| 16 |  Bill Russell✓@kodakblack | 13M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 17 |  Luka Doncic✓@lukadoncic | 11M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 18 |  LaMelo Ball✓@melo | 11M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 19 |  Jimmy Butler✓@jimmybutler | 9.7M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 20 |  Damian Lillard✓@damianlillard | 9.6M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 21 |  Paul George✓@ygtrece | 9.3M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 22 |  Markelle Fultz✓@markellefultz | 8.6M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 23 |  Boston Celtics✓@celtics | 8.3M | — | basketball | premium | View profile → |
| 24 |  Ballislife✓@ballislife | 8.2M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 25 |  Carmelo Anthony✓@carmeloanthony | 7.9M | — | basketball | premium | View profile → |
| 26 |  @nbatv✓@nbatv | 7.7M | — | basketball | premium | View profile → |
| 27 |  NBA on ESPN✓@nbaonespn | 7.5M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 28 |  JR Smith✓@teamswish | 7.4M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 29 |  Jayson Tatum🙏🏀✓@jaytatum0 | 7.2M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 30 |  Joel "The Process" Embiid✓@joelembiid | 7.0M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 31 |  Miami HEAT✓@miamiheat | 6.5M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 32 |  Victor Wembanyama 🇫🇷✓@wemby | 6.3M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 33 |  Houston Rockets✓@houstonrockets | 6.2M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 34 |  San Antonio Spurs✓@spurs | 6.2M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 35 |  NBA History✓@nbahistory | 5.9M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 36 |  lululemon✓@lululemon | 5.8M | — | basketball | premium | View profile → |
| 37 |  New York Knicks 🏀✓@nyknicks | 5.7M | — | basketball | premium | View profile → |
| 38 |  Anthony Edwards✓@theanthonyedwards_ | 5.5M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 39 |  Real Madrid Basketball✓@realmadridbasket | 5.3M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 40 |  Milwaukee Bucks✓@bucks | 5.3M | — | basketball | premium | View profile → |
| 41 |  Dennis Schröder✓@ds17_fg | 5.2M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 42 |  ANGEL REESE✓@angel.reese | 5.2M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 43 |  LA Clippers✓@laclippers | 5.1M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 44 |  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander✓@shai | 5.1M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 45 |  Ernest Owens✓@ernez540 | 5.1M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 46 |  Trae Young✓@traeyoung | 4.8M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 47 |  Zion Williamson✓@zionwilliamson | 4.8M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 48 |  USA Basketball✓@usabasketball | 4.7M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 49 |  Karl-Anthony Towns✓@karltowns | 4.7M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
| 50 |  Brooklyn Nets✓@brooklynnets | 4.7M | — | basketball | elite | View profile → |
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.