Confirmed: Denzel Washington a fan of Denzel Valentine

It's easy to get the two mixed up.

Both are named Denzel. Both have three-syllable last names. And one was allegedly named after the other.

Denzel Valentine, the former Michigan State star, was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in last week's NBA draft. Meanwhile, TMZ Sports caught up with actor Denzel Washington to ask him about the hoopster with the same first name.

"I actually talked to him," Washington told TMZ Sports when asked if he liked Valentine. "I talked to him. I tracked him down. Because how many Denzels do you meet?"

TMZ Sports then asked Washington if Valentine was named after him.

“His mother said ... I think his mother said so. I’m not sure. Can’t quote me on that," Washington responded. (Valentine is indeed named after Washington, his father's favorite actor.)

The two have been mixed up before. Last March, the Associated Press, when announcing its Player of the Year in college basketball, accidentally referred to Valentine as Denzel Washington.

Couch: Inside Denzel Valentine's three days at the NBA Draft

So that's that. Denzel is a fan of Denzel. We're still waiting to hear what Tim Izzo thinks about media outlets getting his name mixed up with MSU hoops coach Tom Izzo.

Contact Brian Manzullo: bmanzullo@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@BrianManzullo.

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