Many NFL athletes have a past as multi-sport stars in high school. Philadelphia Eagles fans saw some of those skills on display online, and everyone is noticing.
On Friday, the Eagles' social media account on X showcased a side of the team fans don't typically get to see. It showed the team's basketball skills as it was primarily focused on Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and cornerback Cooper DeJean.
The display Barkley and DeJean put together was a perfect basketball move. Barkley dribbled before jumping in the air like he hurdled a defender while carrying the ball under his leg. After the ball passed under his leg, he threw it to the backboard of the hoop, and DeJean caught it and finished the alley-oop with a slam dunk.
Barkley and DeJean's checkered past with being hoopsters
The perfectly executed alley-oop has gone viral with over 1.4 million views on X in the first 24 hours. It shouldn't be surprising that Barkley and DeJean know how to hoop.
Both players played basketball in high school, as Barkley played for Whitehall High School in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, and DeJean played at Battle Creek-Ida Grove High School in Ida Grove, Iowa.
Barkley played forward in his senior season. He was praised by his high school coaches for his ability to hustle in practice and grab rebounds in his only year of playing the sport before picking college football and attending Penn State.
DeJean was a basketball star, including Division II school Emporia State, which offered him a basketball scholarship during his junior season after displaying his shooting and dunking abilities. He lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track during high school. DeJean chose to play college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
It makes perfect sense that Barkley and DeJean were good basketball players, as shown by their athleticism on the field. Barkley has a knack for jumping over players (forwards or backwards). DeJean can jump up to swat balls away and has excellent hands to make interceptions.
Philadelphia sports fans suffered during the Sixers' 2024-2025 season, with the team finishing with a highly disappointing 24-58 record. Barkley and DeJean can help turn the franchise around after winning a Super Bowl for the city in February.