Rams WR Puka Nacua Believes He Could Transition To NBA With Ease
Nov 7, 2024, 9:16 PM
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 16: Puka Nacua #17 of Team Shannon dunks the ball during the second half against Team Stephen A. during the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Sports fans often debate how elite athletes would fare outside of their profession. The most common scenario features NBA stars on the gridiron and NFL players on the hardwood.
Former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua gave his thoughts on the topic and he thinks that he could easily make the switch.
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“I think it would be so easy to transition from the NFL to the NBA,” Nacua said.
He then doubled down on his statement saying that he could do it in three to six months.
Nacua’s statement was clearly far-fetched. However, he has a higher chance of playing professional basketball than the vast majority of the world.
In fact, he already has a few highlights to add to his prospect tape.
Two-sport athletes 🏈🏀
Puka Nacua and Micah Parsons both throw down slams in the 1Q 💪#RufflesCelebGame on ESPN pic.twitter.com/KMFHdfpZcv
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2024
It’s no secret that Nacua is an elite athlete.
At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, posted a 33″ vertical jump, and did 15 bench press reps.
The real question is how well his athleticism would translate in a different sport. Even if it translates well, would he have the endurance and knowledge it takes to play high-level basketball?
On the bright side, Nacua is far from the shortest receiver in the NFL – standing at 6-foot-2.
Team Shannon goes on a run!
Led by triples from Puka Nacua and Dylan Wang 🎯🎯#RufflesCelebGame on ESPN pic.twitter.com/GKYmcwaxFO
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2024
Funny enough, this isn’t the first basketball hot take that Nacua has given. Back in February, Nacua said that he could score 15 points if he were given 30 minutes of playing time in an NBA game.
“I think I could get 15 for sure,” Nacua said. “I’m fast, I can dunk, I’m shooting layups. If I get a wide-open corner three, I’ll take one but it has to come in the rhythm of the game.
Let’s say that the Rams make the Super Bowl and are playing into February. That would leave almost exactly six months from the final day of the NFL season to NBA opening night in 2025.
Can you make it happen, Puka?
About Puka Nacua
Before his college career, the Provo, Utah native played high school football at Orem High School. He finished his career with the Tigers as the owner of multiple state records.
After high school, the receiver attended the University of Washington and played a couple of seasons for the Huskies.
After the 2020 season, Nacua returned home to Provo and immediately became a star for the Cougars.
Nacua finished his BYU career with a total of 91 catches for 1,430 yards and 11 touchdowns as well as 39 carries for 357 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Puka, man.
Gotta catch ’em all 🏈 pic.twitter.com/7rsLawwY3S
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
In April 2023, the Rams selected Nacua with the No. 177 overall pick during the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Nacua finished his first season as a professional with an NFL rookie record 105 receptions for 1,486 yards. He also scored six touchdowns.
The rookie wideout received NFL All-Pro second-team honors for his play in 2023. He finished as the runner-up to C.J. Stroud for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
About #LocalsInTheNFL
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Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.
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