Basketball player Matt Barnes says he "possibly" has a future with Rihanna.

Rihanna

Rihanna

The 35-year-old athlete has recently been linked to the pop diva and admits the pair may be reaching relationship status.

Quizzed by TMZ about his budding romance with Rihanna, he said: "Rihanna's my friend right now, so we'll see where it goes."

Further pressed if he thinks they have a future, he added: "Yeah, possibly."

It looks as though Matt is quite smitten with the 'FourFiveSeconds' hitmaker as he admitted their brewing relationship has "passed the crush stage".

He said: "It's passed the crush stage a little bit ... just a little bit."

Meanwhile, Rihanna has also been spotted canoodling with Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton, with whom she was just seen partying in New York on Friday night (14.08.15).

Rihanna, 27, got cosy with Lewis, 30, at the annual Crop Over carnival in Barbados recently, and the pair spent some quality time together.

A source told E! News at the time: "Rihanna and Lewis had a nice little getaway last weekend in Barbados.

"Rihanna also spent time with her friends and family but Lewis was the only romantic interest on her mind."

"She is taking it very slow and just having fun, but she likes who he is and what he is about. There's no label on them just yet."