Every summer a few professional basketball players will choose a hobby to focus on to get their minds off of work. Many will choose to fish, go hunting, or travel. Some choose a different route and create rap music. Shaq, Allen Iverson, Iman Shumptert, are just a few of many athletes who have tried their hand at rapping. But what about the other side of the spectrum? A rapper that chose the music industry, even though they played Division I basketball. Here's a short list of well-known rappers that were serious basketball prospects.

1. Cam'ron a.k.a. Cameron Giles

Cameron Giles played for the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics in the East Harlem neighborhood. He lead his high school team in a victory over Lincoln High School and their stud, Stephon Marbury, who was being filmed during the season for a documentary. When his team lost in the first round of the state playoffs, skipping out on classes became a regular activity. He was ranked in the Top 25 of all high school prospects at the conclusion of his senior year. Although prestigious basketball powerhouse Georgetown and University of Miami were interested him, he never completed his senior year. At this point, music took over his life and he chose that route, according to Steven Lebron.

2. 2 Chainz a.k.a. Tauheed Epps

2 Chainz was a fearful 6'6 perimeter player with point guard skills. He played for North Clayton High in Georgia where he won a Class AA state title. Schools such as the University of Memphis were enticed by his size and quickness. He chose to attend Division I Alabama State in 1996-1997. Epps even got time his freshman year including games with a statline of 14 points and 7 rebounds. Between the end of his freshman year and the summer after, Epps turned into "Playaz Circle," a duo with high school friend Earl Convyers, that started his career, according ESPN.

3. The Game a.k.a. Jayceon Taylor

This high-profile rapper ran the courts at Compton High School before playing at Washington State in the '90's. Taylor was caught after his freshman year and kicked off the team for drug possession. He then began a drug monopoly with his older brother back in Compton, California. This career choice lead him to a three-day coma after being shot five times. While in the hospital, he religiously listened to old school rap, such as Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, Ice Cube, and others. Taylor mastered the different artists' styles and appearance to create his own persona, The Game, according to IMDB.

4. Master P a.k.a. Percy Miller

Before Master P was a rapper/actor/entrepreneur/author/film maker, he was learning the roots of basketball in New Orleans, Louisiana. It's been said he played AAU basketball with Steve Nash and Jason Kidd, while attending Merritt Junior College in Northern California. Kidd even recommended Miller for his alma-mater, University of California. Miller played in the Continental Basketball Associate with Fort Wayne and in 2004 with the Las Vegas Rattlers of the ABA. He regularly plays in exhibition matches and celebrity events. With a net worth of an estimated $350 million, the rapper even got a try out with the Charlotte Hornets. Also remembered for playing basketball is his son Percy Miller III, better known as rapper Lil' Romeo, who played at the University of Southern California. Below is video footage of him practicing with the team in 2008, according to Encyclopedia.com and Comlpex.

5. Lil' Romeo in College

Other rap icons with basketball pasts include Lil' Romeo, Rick Ross, Nelly, Wale, J Cole, and Chris Brown.