Hall of Fame former Chicago Bulls shooting guard Michael Jordan has been praised for his skills on the court, his acumen as a businessman, and his instincts as a brand ambassador.
And though he’s known to be a major gambling aficionado, the five-time league MVP swingman hasn’t necessarily been thought of as an expert bettor.
During a new RapTV interview with Stake, multiplatinum hip-hop superstar Drake explained that the man many consider the NBA‘s GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) was the best gambler he’s ever seen, too.
“Gambling GOAT? To me? Controversial take but Michael Jordan,” Drake told Stake. “He’ll gamble on anything. I think I remember it was All-Star Weekend [in] Toronto [in 2016], and he had an event to be at. I beat him at ping-pong, like, a couple times, and he just wouldn’t leave the ping-pong table. He kept just betting me, like, bands. 10 bands [$10,000], 20 bands [$20,000].”
More NBA News: Michael Jordan Mansion Buyer Now Facing Major Problem with Property
Both superstars could afford to lose that kind of coin. According to Forbes in January 2025, Jordan is net worth an estimated $3.5 billion. Madison Freeman of Men’s Journal pegs Drake’s worth at $250 million.
James Gilbert/Getty Images
“Just kept betting because he just couldn’t stomach the loss, you know? He’s definitely not a quitter,” Drake said. “I respect him deeply for his gambling nature. So, yeah, I’d say Michael Jordan’s definitely one of one.”
More NBA News: ‘Near Mint Condition’ Michael Jordan Bulls Card Could Fetch Astronomical Amount at Auction
A gambler who loses $20,000 and doesn’t know when to quit doesn’t quite sound like the “best” gambler ever to us, but then again, we don’t have $20,000 on hand to gamble, so who are we to judge? If by “best” Drake meant “most committed,” then he may have had a point.
Jordan’s legendary competitiveness inspired perhaps the best career in the history of the game. The North Carolina alum captured six NBA championships and six NBA Finals MVP awards in the span of eight seasons while obliterating rival Hall of Famers in his wake, and was the best two-way player in the game for a decade.
The 14-time All-Star remains the most prolific scorer in the history of the game, with a record career regular season average of 30.1 points on .497/.327/.835 shooting splits, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks a night. He led the league in scoring 10 times and in steals thrice. Jordan was also an 11-time All-NBA Honoree, a nine-time All-Defensive Teamer, the 1988 Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
More NBA News:
Former NBA Role Players Has Ridiculous Reason Why Michael Jordan is the GOAT Over LeBron James
Top 5 NBA All-Star Dunk Contest Performances of All Time
NBA Legend Who Pulled Michael Jordan Into NASCAR and His Hilarious Reaction Revealed
For more on Michael Jordan and the NBA, check out Newsweek Sports.