Barack Obama and Basketball

From his days as a senator in Illinois to his eight years in the Oval Office, President Barack Obama has made his hoops passion known. As his tenure in the White House comes to an end, Sports Illustrated takes a look back at the 44th U.S. President's intimate history with the game of basketball.

Author:: SI Staff
Publish date:: Aug 4, 2016

Barack Obama and Basketball

Barack Obama played guard in high school for Punahou School, the 1979 state champions of Hawaii.

Barack Obama stopped at local YMCA in Illinois to squeeze in some hoops during his presidential campaign in 2007.

Following the court's rules, Barack Obama lays in a left-handed layup rather than throwing down a slam in 2007.

Barack Obama posing in front of a sign at the Illinois YMCA in 2007.

Barack Obama getting up to contest a shot from SI senior writer S.L. Price. in 2007.

Barack Obama backing his man down in the post in 2007.

Barack Obama going with the jump hook over SI writer S.L. Price in 2007.

Barack Obama participated in a fundraising 3-on-3 tournament during his presidential campaign in 2008.

Barack Obama holding his follow through during a campaign break in 2008.

Harry E. Walker/MCT/MCT via Getty Images

President Barack Obama gets help reading his game program from Nick Aiello, 5, during a Wizards-Bulls game in 2009.

North Carolina coach Roy Williams presents President Barack Obama with a UNC jersey after the team's title in 2009.

President Barack Obama plays basketball with cabinet secretaries and Congressmen on a White House court in 2009.

Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant and President Barack Obama posing during the Los Angeles Lakers' White House visit in 2010.

President Barack Obama shows off his dribbling skills during the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll in 2010.

President Barack Obama greets Lakers head coach Phil Jackson while helping children volunteers fill care packages during an NBA Cares service event at a Washington, D.C. Boys and Girls Club in 2010.

President Barack Obama presents NBA legend Bill Russell with the Medal of Freedom in 2011.

President Barack Obama laughs with Magic Johnson on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson during the 2011 Carrier Classic between Michigan State and North Carolina in San Diego.

Dirk Nowitzki presents President Barack Obama with a Mavs jersey during the Dallas Mavericks' White House visit in 2012.

President Barack Obama plays basketball with Bruce Bowen during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in 2012.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

President Barack Obama kisses the First Lady, Michelle Obama, as they appear on the Kiss Cam at the 2012 US Men's Senior National Team game against Brazil.

LeBron James describes his excitement of visiting the White House to President Barack Obama during a visit by the Miami Heat in 2013.

Chris Paul and President Barack Obama chat during a town hall meeting in 2014.

Ray Allen, Chris Bosh, LeBron James and the Miami Heat pose with President Barack Obama during their visit to the White House in 2014.

2015-0112-Barack-Obama-Tony-Parker-Manu-Ginobili-Tim-Duncan.jpg — Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

President Barack Obama poses with the San Antonio Spurs during their White House visit in 2015.

President Barack Obama greets Paul Pierce during an NBA Fit Clinic at the White House during the 2015 Easter Egg Roll.

President Barack Obama shows off some of his ball skills to Geno Auriemma and the UConn's women's basketball team in 2015.

President Barack Obama sits courtside for a Bulls-Cavaliers game in 2015.

President Barack Obama poses with the Golden State Warriors during their White House visit in 2016.

President Barack Obama practices his shot while the Warriors (and Jerry West) visit the White House in 2016.

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Shaquille O'Neal on the basketball court during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in 2016.

2016-1110-Cleveland-Cavaliers-White-House-President-Barack-Obama_0.jpg — Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

President Barack Obama waves to guests after posing for a group photograph with members of Cleveland Cavaliers on the South Lawn of the White House in 2016.

President Barack Obama awards NBA legend Michael Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in 2016.

President Barack Obama congratulates the NBA's all-time leading scorer and social justice advocate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in 2016.