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Master P has lived a thousand lives. Most people know Master P as the rap legend who founded No Limit Records. But what many people don’t know is that P had a short stint in the NBA.
Master P played in the preseason with the Charlotte Hornets (1998) and Toronto Raptors (1999) but never made a final cut for an NBA roster. One person who had a front row seat to it all was NBA legend Charles Oakley. Oakley was a member of the Toronto Raptors when Master P tried out for the team in 1999.
Charles Oakley Details Master P’s NBA Stint
When asked about Master P’s hoop game, Oakley said that the rap star did have “some talent” but not enough to truly compete for an NBA roster spot.
“It was funny. Because they said that he could play — I had never seen him play. But he did make the road trip, I think. And he got in for a couple of games. You know, he had some talent, but he didn’t have enough talent to make the league,” Oakley said during a recent interview with Art of Dialogue. “But he came out and wasn’t ashamed about it. He hit a couple of threes. But he wasn’t ready, but I mean, hey, he got his shot. At least he got his shot and tried.”
When asked how his fellow Toronto Raptors teammates felt about the rap star being on the team, Oakley said that they “didn’t even think twice about it.”
“I mean, it’s Master P, the rapper,” he said. “He couldn’t guard anybody. You know, he’s probably like one of those guys, like R. Kelly, who always played with his friends and shot every time. But he could shoot a three, though. He wasn’t fast enough to beat you off the dribble, but like I said, he got into training camp. P wanted to shoot that three and make them go uhhh.”
