French soccer icon Kylian Mbappé named two Los Angeles Lakers — LeBron James and Luka Doncic — among his five favorite NBA players, according to an interview published by Bleacher Report.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward completed his list with Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets.
Why the Lakers duo made the cut
Doncic, who was traded to Los Angeles last offseason, quickly formed a high-scoring trio with James and Austin Reaves. The 27-year-old guard averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists this season, fueling early MVP conversations. James — the player Doncic grew up admiring — posted 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in his 23rd NBA campaign and, at age 41, guided the Lakers past the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
Both athletes enjoy massive international followings, a factor that helped draw Mbappé’s attention. The French star and Doncic also share a Real Madrid connection: Mbappé played for the Spanish club’s youth system in soccer, while Doncic rose through Real Madrid’s basketball academy before entering the NBA.
The other three selections
- Jayson Tatum returned from an Achilles injury ahead of schedule and lifted Boston back to the postseason.
- Kevin Durant, 37, showed few signs of decline, appearing in 78 games and averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists for Houston.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo battled lower-leg issues but remained one of the league’s premier talents as speculation grows about his future in Milwaukee.
Mbappé’s selections underscore the NBA’s global reach and the continued draw of both established legends and ascending stars.
Source: LakersNation.com
