Reba McEntire’s jaw-dropping confession leaves fans stunned — before country stardom, she secretly dreamed of life on the basketball court.LC
internet in a frenzy, country music legend Reba McEntire has dropped a stunning revelation about a wildly unexpected career path she once chased before becoming the undisputed queen of country with hits like “Fancy” and “I’m a Survivor” – she dreamed of being a professional basketball player, only to humbly admit, “I wasn’t that good!” In an exclusive interview with Taste of Country, the 70-year-old icon, beloved for her four-decade reign in music and her fan-favorite role as a Coach on The Voice, opened up about her teenage aspirations to dominate the basketball court, a far cry from the glitzy stages she’s commanded worldwide. This jaw-dropping disclosure has sparked a firestorm of reactions, with fans and insiders buzzing over how a rural Oklahoma girl’s hoop dreams transformed into a legacy that’s sold over 60 million albums, and what other hidden chapters of her life might still be waiting to surface.
Growing up on a family ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma, Reba McEntire spent her youth shooting hoops with her siblings, fostering a love for basketball that had her dreaming of a pro career. “I really thought I could make it big in basketball,” she shared with her signature grin during the interview, recalling her days on the high school team where she poured her heart into the game, only to realize her skills didn’t quite match her passion. Instead of letting the setback define her, Reba pivoted to music, a move that launched her from singing at local rodeos to signing with Mercury Records in 1975 after being discovered at a 1974 rodeo performance. Her basketball days, though left behind, remain a cherished memory – she still roots for the Oklahoma City Thunder alongside her boyfriend Rex Linn, a die-hard sports fan who’s been her rock through projects like her sitcom Happy’s Place and their shared love of games. The revelation of her “not that good” basketball stint has fans marveling at her humility and resilience, qualities that have defined her journey from a small-town dreamer to a global superstar.
This glimpse into Reba’s past paints a vivid picture of her versatility and grit, showing how she turned a failed dream into a springboard for monumental success. Her music career exploded with albums like Whoever’s in New England and Rumor Has It, earning her Grammys, CMA Awards, and a permanent place in the hearts of fans, while her acting chops shone in Reba, Malibu Country, and now Happy’s Place, with Season 2 premiering November 7, 2025, on NBC and Peacock. She’s also set to return as a Coach on The Voice Season 28, airing September 22, 2025, on NBC, alongside Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé, and Niall Horan, bringing her warmth and wisdom to aspiring artists. Her candid admission about her basketball shortcomings only deepens her relatability, with fans on X flooding feeds with thousands of posts expressing shock and admiration, some joking she could’ve been the “Michael Jordan of country” while others thank her for choosing music, which gave them life-changing anthems.
Social media is ablaze with reactions, from fans stunned to picture Reba dribbling a basketball to others inspired by her ability to embrace failure and find her true calling. Posts highlight her down-to-earth nature, with some sharing that she still keeps an old high school basketball as a memento, a nod to her roots that fans find endlessly endearing. Rex Linn, her partner since 2020 and co-star in Happy’s Place, has been a focal point in fan discussions, with many praising their shared love of sports and how they cheer for teams like the Thunder together. The story has also sparked broader conversations about how stars often harbor surprising dreams before fame – Reba’s tales of rodeo work and cattle herding in her youth add layers to her journey, showing the tenacity that helped her overcome tragedies like the 1991 plane crash that killed her bandmates and health-related show cancellations in 2022.
Entertainment analysts see this revelation as more than a quirky anecdote – it’s a testament to Reba’s ability to reinvent herself, a trait that’s kept her relevant through decades of change. As she juggles The Voice, Happy’s Place, and charitable work supporting causes like farmers and PBS, her story resonates as a reminder that even legends start with humble, sometimes unattainable dreams. Fans are now clamoring for more glimpses into her past, wondering what other surprises she might share, perhaps on The Voice or in her upcoming cookbook or TV projects. We’ll keep you posted on every development, from her next career moves to any further peeks into the life of a woman who turned a missed shot on the court into a slam dunk in the world of entertainment, proving that sometimes, the greatest victories come from daring to pivot.
