Bill Clinton was spotted sitting court side on Thursday night as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 128 - 113.

He could be seen beaming as he watched the game from the sidelines, chatting and laughing with those around him and at one point even throwing the ball back on to the court.

Following the thrilling game at the Barclays Centre in New York City Mr Clinton could be seen surrounded by members of the winning team who were all keen to have their moment with the former president.

Another Lakers star Anthony Davis is seen shaking hands with the former president, Bill Clinton as other players, fans and member of the media gather around

Mr Clinton can be seen sitting courtside, dressed in a casual grey sweater, black jeans and sports shoes clutching a basketball as he chats and laughs with those around him

LeBron James said as a kid the odds were stacked against him, so he still finds it crazy he can shake hands with a former president and be on first name basis with him

At the end of the game Lakers players and coaches, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Frank Vogel and Jason Kidd, crossed the court to say hello to Mr Clinton.

LeBron said it was a privilege to meet someone he has always admired.

Former US president Bill Clinton appears to be giving the basketball star some serious advice

Le Bron James, seen shaking hands with Mr Clinton, said the former president, alongside his successor, Barack Obama, were two men he admired

While he has met Mr Clinton before, he was still in awe. 'Between him and Barack (Obama), my presidents, guys that I've just admired, when Bill was in office and obviously when Barack in office,' he told USA Today.

'To be able to have a personal relationship with Barack and being able to go up to Bill and he knows me, it's just surreal.

'I know you all get sick and tired of hearing about the kid from Akron, you have no idea where I come from and the odds that were stacked up against me, to have moments where I can shake the President of the United States' hand and be on a first-name basis, it's crazy.'

Bill Clinton is an avid sports fan who attends many sporting games and matches and in his youth played a lot himself

Mr Clinton got a chance to show off his ball-catching skills on the side of the court where he watched the Lakers take on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Centre in New York City

LeBron James has met the former Democrat president before but said it was always a privilege to meet someone he admired

LeBron has previously met both the former Democrat presidents at NBA games, but it is unlikely a meet and greet with the United States' current leader would get the same response.

The NBA superstar has previously spoken out against President Donald Trump; saying he's used sport to divide society, has driven racial tensions to an all time high, and would 'never' sit down with him.

LeBron James laughs as he chats with former president Bill Clinton someone he has always admired. The formidable basketball player said it was still 'crazy' that someone like him could now mix with well-known world leaders

LeBron James had a great evening on the court as he recorded his 91st career triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists

The meet with the former president would have capped off an already great evening for the formidable player.

LeBron, who recorded his 91st career triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, is set to pass Kobe Bryant on the NBA's career scoring list in the former Lakers star's hometown, of Philadelphia.

Speaking after the game he said for him it was all about winning and knowing he was doing well within his career on the basketball big league.

'Any time I am linked with the greats or I am able to do something in my career where I'm mentioned with the greats is a pretty cool thing,' James said. 'But as far as looking at the scoring, I don't know. That doesn't mean much to me.

'Just the overall point of my game is what means more to me: being an all-around player, being able to be successful on the floor and being able to contribute to the franchises that I played for, the three franchises I played for so far in my career.'

Bill Clinton, seen sitting sportside with Michael Strahan, can be seen looking intently at the court as the game is played

Player Anthony Davis towers over Mr Clinton as he shakes his hand. Following the game several members of the winning Lakers team came up to the former president who is a keen basketball fan

Bill Clinton is well known for his love of sports having been seen to attend various games and matches over the years, and in his youth even played in a few teams.

The former president has often mentioned how he was a basketball player in his church league team and despite not having made it to the big leagues, claims to have been his team's leading scorer.

Lakers player Dwight Howard and Bill Clinton appear to share a joke as they pose in front of the media