Basketball is more than a sport—it’s a legacy. In recent years, the NBA has witnessed a surge of second-generation players making their way into the league. These rising stars are not just carrying famous last names on their back; they’re also earning the spotlight with their own talent, determination, and ambitions. Let’s have a look at how some of the most iconic NBA Legends are shaping the next generation of basketball.
NBA Legends and Their Sons Who Played Basketball
| Father | Son(s) |
| Greg Anthony | Cole Anthony |
| Rick Barry | Jon Barry, Brent Barry, Drew Barry |
| Mike Bibby | Henry Bibby |
| Manute Bol | Bol Bol |
| Melvin Booker | Devin Booker |
| Rick Brunson | Jalen Brunson |
| Joe Bryant | Kobe Bryant |
| Dell Curry | Stephen Curry, Seth Curry |
| Patrick Ewing | Patrick Ewing Jr. |
| Danny Ferry | Bob Ferry |
| Tim Hardaway | Tim Hardaway Jr. |
| Ron Harper | Ron Harper Jr. |
| Al Horford | Tito Horford |
| Juwan Howard | Jett Howard |
| Jaren Jackson | Jaren Jackson Jr. |
| LeBron James | Bronny James |
| George Karl | Coby Karl |
| Kevin Love | Stan Love |
| Danny Manning | Ed Manning |
| Pete Maravich | Press Maravich |
| Kenyon Martin | Kenyon Martin Jr. |
| Wesley Matthews | Wes Matthews |
| George Mikan | Larry Mikan |
| Larry Nance | Larry Nance Jr., Pete Nance |
| Jabari Parker | Sonny Parker |
| Gary Payton | Gary Payton II |
| Scottie Pippen | Scotty Pippen Jr. |
| Doc Rivers | Austin Rivers |
| Glenn Robinson | Glenn Robinson III |
| Arvydas Sabonis | Domantas Sabonis |
| Dolph Schayes | Danny Schayes |
| Jabari Smith | Jabari Smith Jr. |
| John Stockton | David Stockton |
| Klay Thompson | Mychal Thompson |
| Gary Trent | Gary Trent Jr. |
| Kiki Vandeweghe | Ernie Vandeweghe |
| Dajuan Wagner | Milt Wagner |
| Jalen Rose | Jimmy Walker |
| Bill Walton | Luke Walton |
| Andrew Wiggins | Mitchell Wiggins |
Dell Curry & Stephen Curry
Any conversation about NBA families without the Curry clan remains incomplete. Dell Curry, an iconic deadly shooter in the 1980s and ’90s, passed down his elite marksmanship to his sons, Stephen and Seth Curry.
Stephen Curry would go on to become a two-time MVP and four-time NBA champion. A legend for the Golden State Warriors fan, Steph left a lasting impression on the game with his deep-range shooting. His younger brother Seth meanwhile could not follow a decorated path similar to his brother. But he carved out a solid NBA career with multiple teams. The Curry family demonstrate how skills can not only be inherited but elevated, as the game evolves from time-to-time.
LeBron James & Bronny James
It is safe to say that LeBron James is one of the greatest players in NBA history. With four NBA titles with three teams spanning over two decades, his name is already etched in basketball history. But now, it’s his son, Bronny James, who’s in focus. A skilled combo guard with an impressive basketball IQ and defensive instincts, Bronny has drawn attention since his high school days. Since his college basketball days at USC, the media has kept him under their microscope.
It’s no surprise that he faces comparisons to his father. Bronny has meanwhile showcased how he’s determined to chart his own course. The father-son duo became the first in NBA history to play together, during Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener in 2024. Meanwhile, LeBron’s younger son, Bryce James, is also on the rise. Standing over 6’6″ as a teenager, Bryce is showing early signs of having both the physical ability and potential to be another standout James baller in the family.
Shaquille O’Neal & Shareef O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal, or Big Shaq (for his larger-than-life personality) is known for dominance in the paint. He is a recognizable figure of the sport, thanks to the four NBA trophies in his cabinet. While his son, Shareef O’Neal inherited his father’s height and love for the game, he however went for a different path.
After facing serious health challenges, including an open-heart surgery while in college, Shareef’s resilience has been inspiring. Though he went undrafted, Shareef has continued to work hard in the NBA G League, showing moments of potential as a stretch forward. Off the court, the father-son duo have teamed up in business. Big Shaq, now President of Basketball at Reebok, enlisted Shareef to help rebrand and reach the next generation of athletes on the court.
Shaq’s other sons, Shaqir and Myles, are also into basketball and entertainment, showcasing how the O’Neals are diversifying the family name across sports and media.
Scottie Pippen & Scotty Pippen Jr.
Scottie Pippen, the ultimate wingman to Michael Jordan, is a six-time NBA champion, who left quite the impression on the game. His son, Scotty Pippen Jr., has meanwhile taken a more under-the-radar route to the NBA. After a standout career at Vanderbilt, Scotty Jr. went undrafted but later signed with the Los Angeles Lakers’ Summer League team. Since then, he’s continued to develop his game in the G League, with the aim to reach the NBA.
Scotty Jr.’s scoring ability and court awareness reveal glimpses of his father’s influence and have made him known for these traits. However, their style of playing is different. The Pippen name continues to resonate with basketball fans, and the family may have more to offer. Justin Pippen, another of Scottie’s sons, is a rising high school prospect with growing interest from Division I programs.
Other Father and Son(s) Who Played in the NBA
| Father | Son(s) |
| Anthony Carter | Devin Carter |
| Wayne Chapman | Rex Chapman |
| Charles Claxton | Nic Claxton |
| Richard Coffey | Amir Coffey |
| Norm Cook | Brian Cook |
| Corey Crowder | Jae Crowder |
| Dale Davis | Trayce Jackson-Davis |
| Mark Davis | Johnny Davis |
| Terry Davis | Ed Davis |
| Darren Daye | Austin Daye |
| Larry Drew | Larry Drew II |
| Rich Dumas | Richard Dumas |
| Mike Dunleavy Sr. | Mike Dunleavy Jr. |
| Bill Edwards | Vincent Edwards |
| LeRoy Ellis | LeRon Ellis |
| Bob Ferry | Danny Ferry |
| Winston Garland | Darius Garland |
| Dick Garrett | Diante Garrett |
| Harvey Grant | Jerami Grant, Jerian Grant |
| Sidney Green | Taurean Green |
| Adrian Griffin | AJ Griffin |
| Matt Guokas Sr. | Matt Guokas Jr. |
| Gerald Henderson | Gerald Henderson Jr. |
| Carl Henry | Xavier Henry |
| Earle Higgins | Sean Higgins |
| Rod Higgins | Cory Higgins |
| Bill Hosket Sr. | Bill Hosket Jr. |
| Wali Jones | Askia Jones |
| Frank Kornet | Luke Kornet |
| John Lucas Jr. | John Lucas III |
| Pace Mannion | Nico Mannion |
| Roy Marble | Devyn Marble |
| Scott May | Sean May |
| Al McGuire | Allie McGuire |
| Pete Mount | Rick Mount |
| Jay Murphy | Erik Murphy |
| Ruben Nembhard | RJ Nembhard |
| Jim Paxson Sr. | Jim Paxson Jr. |
| Curtis Perry | Byron Houston |
| Paul Pressey | Phil Pressey |
| Walt Piatkowski | Eric Piatkowski |
| Tony Price | A. J. Price |
| Leo Rautins | Andy Rautins |
| Glen Rice | Glen Rice Jr. |
| Walker Russell Sr. | Walker Russell Jr. |
| Al Salvadori | Kevin Salvadori |
| Jeff Sheppard | Reed Sheppard |
| James Silas | Xavier Silas |
| Derek Smith | Nolan Smith |
| Walter Szczerbiak | Wally Szczerbiak |
| Jeff Taylor | Jeffery Taylor |
| Collis Temple | Garrett Temple |
| Butch van Breda Kolff | Jan van Breda Kolff |
| David Vaughn Jr. | David Vaughn III |
| Brett Vroman | Jackson Vroman |
| Samaki Walker | Jabari Walker |
| Chris Washburn | Julian Washburn |
| Duane Washington | Duane Washington Jr. |
| Gerald Wilkins | Damien Wilkins |
| Rickie Winslow | Justise Winslow |
| Michael Young | Joe Young |
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