He is an NBA champion and a Grammy-nominated star. With these two distinct accolades, it might not be hard to guess who we are talking about. While some people spend their entire lives trying to make a career in either field, this NBA player effortlessly hooped while producing a Grammy-nominated song for one of America’s favorite pop artists. The news of the collaboration came to him at a time when he needed it the most.

The headline-making burglary at JaVale McGee was shocking for the people. And so did McGee’s collaboration with Justin Bieber for the song Available on the album Changes in 2020. But how did all of this happen? 

The NBA star revealed that he had known Bieber’s main songwriter, Poo Bear. When McGee once went into his studio, the two cooked up something that really intrigued Bear. He really liked the melody McGee had created. However, that was the end of it for the moment.  

A few months later, McGee received a call from Poo Bear. This was in 2019 right after the burglary at both of their homes. During that conversation, Bear suddenly mentioned the album. A confused McGee soon realized that the melody they had worked on in the studio earlier had been used for Justin Bieber’s album.

“At the end of the call he (Bear) like ‘oh yeah. you make the album.’ I’m just like ‘what album? What are you talking?’ The album like I know you working on a lot of project album, he like the Justin Bieber album. I’m like that’s crazy!” McGee said on the Above The Rim with DH 12.

The NBA player wasn’t even aware that he had been producing a song for Bieber. The biggest surprise came when the song received a Grammy nomination, marking the highest achievement in McGee’s music career so far. His NBA ring, 200k cash as well as jewelry were stolen from his house. McGee might have lost his precious stuff, but he won the biggest prize.

JaVale McGee wants to follow both basketball and music 

The former Los Angeles Lakers star may not have won a Grammy, but these nominations have inspired NBA players who wish to pursue something beyond basketball. McGee has always loved music, but since he was fit and eligible to join the NBA, he entered the pro league instead.

However, while continuing his basketball career, McGee maintained his passion for music. Before the release of his latest song, McGee created his own album, Pierre. As a producer, he is also known by this name.

McGee recorded the album in his own studio in Inglewood. For the project, he collaborated with former Lakers teammates Lonzo Ball and Lance Stephenson. Currently, McGee is balancing both his career as a music artist and as a basketball player. While he plans to continue playing basketball, numerous opportunities are likely in store if and when he starts dedicating more focus to his music career.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.