Macklin Celebrini, the promising rookie for the San Jose Sharks, has recently caught the eyes of both hockey fans and TikTok enthusiasts alike with his dazzling performances on the ice and his playful antics on social media. Just last week, Celebrini teamed up with fellow rookie Will Smith for what has quickly become one of the most talked-about TikTok videos of the week, delighting viewers with their recreation of the viral LeBron James driveway video.
The TikTok was released on December 26, 2024, and it has garnered over 700,000 views as of Saturday afternoon. “We were bored. It was an off-day. We played basketball for three hours, so it was fun,” commented Smith on their unexpected viral hit, highlighting the spontaneous fun they had during their downtime. Celebrini chimed in, saying, “It wasn’t very good,” downplaying their performance but still enjoying the light-hearted spirit of creating the video.
The connection between Celebrini and Smith seems to go beyond just their TikTok exploits; both are fresh talents making their mark after being drafted within the last two years—the first overall pick and fourth overall pick, respectively. During the Sharks’ game against the Golden Knights on December 29, 2024, Celebrini showcased his hockey talents by logging an assist, two shots on goal, and two hits, continuing his upward trend as one of the steadiest forwards on the team.
With his father, Rick Celebrini, serving as the Golden State Warriors’ Director of Sports Medicine and Performance, it’s no surprise Macklin has strong ties to the basketball world. Celebrini expressed his fondness for the game and his friendship with Warriors star Draymond Green, though he mentioned he hadn’t heard directly from Green following the posting of their TikTok. “Neither of us, really,” Celebrini said when asked who the superior basketball player was between him and Smith, reflecting the camaraderie they share.
Despite the fun and games, Celebrini is serious about his hockey career, having already put up impressive numbers this season. With 11 goals and 15 assists over 26 games, he has proven he can be both entertaining on social media and effective on the ice. Over his last eight contests alone, he has scored three goals and contributed eight assists, displaying not only skill but also consistency as he adapts to the rigors of professional hockey.
Both Celebrini and Smith seem to enjoy the balance of athleticism and entertainment. They playfully deferred credit to each other during the interview, with Celebrini claiming, “He had the tougher lines,” when discussing their improvised TikTok, yet Smith argued, “I’d say him,” to which Celebrini again offered, “Probably him.” This sense of humor is undoubtedly part of what makes the duo appealing to fans and might pave the way for future collaborations, possibly involving San Jose Sharks legends like Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, whom they currently reside with.
Reflecting on their rapid rise to popularity, Celebrini stated, “We were just having fun with it.” Interestingly, the TikTok video was recorded weeks before it became popular, illustrating how unpredictable the social media spotlight can be. “I had an idea it was gonna kind of blow up,” Smith admitted, indicating they had some foresight of their potential success.
Exceling at such a young age and balancing sports stardom with viral fame, Macklin Celebrini is poised for greatness, both as part of the San Jose Sharks' future and as part of the wider sports culture. His impressive statistics on the ice combined with his TikTok charisma present him as not just another rookie but as a voice for his generation’s athletes—a brand of both seriousness and humor. Fans will undoubtedly keep their eyes on this rising star as he continues to evolve on and off the ice.
