NBA players are spending more time than ever working on the boards — but not the kind that show up in the box score.
Across the league, chess has become a growing off-court focus, with players increasingly turning to the game as a way to engage with strategy and competition beyond basketball. The shift reflects a broader interest among NBA players in activities that mirror the mental demands of their sport, even when they’re away from practices and games.
A different kind of preparation
While basketball remains the priority, the rise in chess activity underscores how players are finding new ways to challenge themselves mentally. Instead of chasing rebounds, they’re spending time studying positions, planning sequences and thinking several moves ahead — the same kind of decision-making that can define possessions late in close games.
The result is a noticeable increase in time devoted to chess around the NBA, signaling that for some players, the competitive outlet doesn’t stop when the final buzzer sounds.