NBA Father-Son Duos Prove Basketball Is In Their Bloodline
Making it to the NBA is difficult, but some families are born to play basketball. Father and son duos aren't uncommon in the association, and while many stayed under the radar during their career, others have made a significant impact on the sport.
Dell and Stephen Curry are pretty much legends when it comes to three-pointers, while Doc Rivers is the first man to coach his son at the professional level. Keep scrolling; the apple doesn't fall far from the tree with these father-son duos.
Bill Walton And Luke Walton
Bill Walton was the overall number one pick in the 1974 NBA draft, selected by the Portland Trail Blazers. A few years later, Walter helped his team win the 1977 NBA finals, receiving the MVP Award in the process.
He won the championship one more time with the Celtics, before retiring in 1990. But that doesn't mean the name Walton was left in the dust. His son, Luke, was drafted to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003 and is currently coaching the Sacramento Kings.
Doc Rivers And Austin Rivers
The father-son duo of Doc Rivers and Austin Rivers is very different from the others on this list. Doc is the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, the very team his son Austin plays for, making him the first player ever to be coached by their father in the NBA.
During his playing time in the NBA, Doc was an All-Star and NBA champion. His son, Austin, is still young and is lucky to have his father as a coach and mentor.
Dell Curry And Stephen Curry
If there were ever a father-son duo who made a significant impact in the NBA, it would have to be Dell Curry and Stephen Curry. Dell played in the NBA from 1987 to 2002, retiring as the Charlotte Hornets all-time record holder in three-pointers as well as overall points.
The former is a skill he passed on to Stephen Curry, point guard for the Golden State Warriors. He is currently in third place for all-time three-pointers made during a regular season.
Rick Barry And Brent Barry
Rick Barry and Brent Barry is quite the father-son duo. Both have careers to be proud of, starting with Rick's time on the Golden State Warriors, where he averaged 10.6 rebounds 25.7 points a game while winning Rookie of the Year in 1966. He is now considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
His son, Brent, didn't have as colorful of a career, but he did have his moments while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers his rookie season. In 1996 "Bones" won the infamous Slam Dunk Competition.
Gerald Henderson And Gerald Henderson Jr.
Gerald Henderson had a long 13-year career in the NBA, playing for a number of teams, such as the New York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics, and Philadelphia 76ers. And while he only averaged around nine points per game, he did have an epic steal against James Worthy in the 1984 NBA Finals.
Henderson Jr. followed in his father's NBA footsteps, also playing for a series of teams, including his Henderson Sr.'s former team, the 76ers.
Gary Payton And Gary Payton II
During his time in the NBA, Gary Payton was a force to be reckoned with. Playing for the SuperSonics for 13 years, "The Glove" holds the franchise record points. It's no wonder he was a nine-time all-star, with those stats.
Payton II, aka "The Mitten," has moved around a lot in the NBA, even being bumped down to farm teams in the past. Currently, he is signed on to play with the Washington Wizards for the 2020 season.
Tim Hardaway AndTim Hardaway Jr.
The father-son duo of Tim Hardaway and Tim Hardaway Jr. are both fierce basketball players. While playing for the NBA, Hardaway Sr. spent a majority of his time between the San Francisco Warriors and the Miami Heat, perfecting his signature crossover dribble. The move earned him the nickname "UTEP Two-Step."
Hardaway Jr. is still active in the NBA, currently playing on the Dallas Mavericks. He was placed on the All-Rookie Team his first season and has improved with each year.
Mychal Thompson And Klay Thompson
Like father like son, Mychal Thompson and Klay Thompson are both part of major dynasty teams. Mychal was part of the 80s "showtime" Lakers team, where he averaged 7.4 rebounds and 13.7 points per game.
His son Klay, on the other hand, is part of the epic Golden State Warrior dynasty that is still going strong. Klay has helped the team win two championships and break the season win record, winning 73 games back in 2016.
Joe Bryant And Kobe Bryant
One of the more famous father-son duos to ever grace the NBA courts is Joe "Jellybean" Bryant and Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant. While Joe had a very solid time in the NBA, averaging with points throughout his career, it's nothing compared to the contributions his son made to the sport.
During his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, the younger Bryant became the leading scorer in franchise history, an 18-time All-Star, and he is wildly considered to be one of the greatest players of all time.
Stan Love And Kevin Love
Coming out of being an Oregon Duck, Stan Love entered the world of the NBA in 1971 with a whole lot of potential. Unfortunately, he didn't really live up to the hype when he was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets (now Washington Wizards).
The good news is that he was a great mentor to his son, Kevin. As a five-time All-Star and NBA Championship winner, the Cavilers are lucky to have Kevin on their roster. It doesn't hurt their franchise that he averages 15 rebounds per game along with a double-double.
John Stockton And David Stockton
Is there anything quite as cool as a father-son duo that played for the same team at some point in their NBA career? For John Stockton and David Stockton, it was the Utah Jazz. John had an admirable career, breaking the all-time record for most steals and assists.
And although David hasn't played for the Jazz since 2018, he is still playing ball. Now playing for the NBA G league South Bay Lakers, David only hopes to become as great as his Hall of Famer dad.
Glen Rice And Glen Rice Jr.
During his 15-year career, Glen Rice Sr. was a three-time All-Star, averaging 18.3 points per game. And while he moved around a lot during his time in the NBA, starting as part of the Miami Heat and retiring a Clipper, his son decided to take things overseas.
Glen Rice Jr. started his career in the United States as part of the Washington Wizard Franchise. After sticking with the NBA team for a while, Rice Jr. made his international debut in 2016. As of 2020, he's part of Al-Fateh, a professional basketball club in Saudi Arabia.
Larry Nance And Larry Nance Jr.
There are many things you can be known for in the NBA, and for Larry Nance and Larry Nance Jr. It's the Slam Dunk Contest. 1984 was the first contest, and Larry Nance is lucky enough to hold the title as its first-ever winner, gaining the nickname of "The High-Ayatolla of Slamola."
Then, in 2018, Nance Jr. decided to pay tribute to his father. Wearing a retro Phoenix Suns jersey, his father's former team, Nance Jr, performed a cradle dunk, the same one his father did to win the first contest.
Jimmy Walker And Jalen Rose
Jimmy Walker and Jalen Rose are a father-son duo who both had solid NBA careers. Drafted as the number one overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in 1967, Jimmy was a two-time All-Star and averaged 17 points per game over a nine-season career.
His son, Jalen, also had a stellar career, playing alongside the likes of Reggie Miller on the Indiana Pacers and going to three consecutive Eastern Conference finals. Now, he co-hosts the sports talk show Get Up! on ESPN.
Wes Matthews Sr. And Wesley Matthews
Both Wes Matthews Sr. and Wesley Matthews have had interesting careers in the NBA. First, Wes Matthews Sr. was on the infamous "showtime" Los Angeles Lakers team, winning two titles while on the team. And then there's his son, Wesley Matthews.
The younger Matthews wasn't actually drafted. He was picked up on a one-year contract by the Utah Jazz in 2009. Other teams soon realized their mistake, not drafting the rookie, considering he was averaging 14 points a game. He currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tito Horford And Al Horford
While Tito Horford didn't make a huge splash in the NBA, only playing for three years, he surely influenced his son Al. Selected as the third overall pick in the 2007 draft, Al began his career playing center for the Atlanta Hawks.
He stayed with the team for nine years before joining the Boston Celtics in 2016, and then the 76ers in 2019. His time in the NBA has landed him as a five-time NBA All-Star.
Henry Bibby And Mike Bibby
Both Henry Bibby and Mike Bibby had memorable careers during their respective time in the NBA. In 1972, Henry was drafted by the New York Knicks, playing with them for two seasons and even helping them win the NBA championship in 73.
Mike had a long career, playing in the NBA for 14 seasons. And while he never won an NBA title, he is known for helping give the Lakers a run for their money in the early 2000s.
Dolph Schayes And Danny Schayes
As a top scorer, rebounder, 12-time All-NBA selection, and 12-time All-Star, Dolph Schayes is considered to be one of the greatest players in all of NBA history. And while his son Danny is also a talented player, his career didn't come close to being as glamorous as his father's.
Danny played in the NBA for 18 seasons, averaging 7.7 points per game during his career before retiring back in 1999. Since retirement, he's been co-hosting Centers of Attention, an ESPN sports talk show.
Patrick Ewing And Patrick Ewing Jr.
Nothing quite says "following in my father's footsteps" quite like Patrick Ewing and Patrick Ewing Jr. Not only did the two play for Georgetown while in college, but they also both played for the New York Knicks at some point in their NBA career.
But as far as their stats go, we have to say Ewing Sr. had a more prominent career. Not only was he an 11-time All-Star, but he's also a Hall of Famer. Oh, he was also showcased in Space Jam, so there's that claim to fame, too.
Press Maravich And Pete Maravich
Press Maravich and Pete Maravich are arguably two of the most influential ballplayers in the NBA. Playing for the Youngstown Bears a year before the association was founded, Press had a long career playing the game, but an even longer one coaching.
But what he best known for is being the father of "Pistol" Pete Maravich. Dubbed "one of the creative offensive talents in NBA history," Pete was a five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA First Team, and averaged a whopping 24.2 points per game.
Arvydas Sabonis And Domantas Sabonis
Arvydas and Domantas Sabonis joined the NBA father-son ranks in 2016, when Domantas was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder. One year later he was traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he would establish himself as an all-star and one of the game's most exciting young stars.
Arvydas, of course, showed his son the way to the NBA success a successful career with the Portland Trailblazers. By the end of his career, he was a Hall of Famer.
Melvin Booker And Devin Booker
Considered one of the Phoenix Suns' best franchise players, Devin Booker was taken by the team with the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Since then, he has been named an all-star and won the 2018 NBA Three-Point Competition.
Devin's father, Melvin Booker, spent 15 years in and out of the NBA. He suited up for the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and the Golden State Warriors. He finished his career overseas in 2007 playing for Armani Jeans Milano.
Mitchell Wiggins And Andrew Wiggins
When the Cleveland Cavaliers took Andrew Wiggins with the first overall pick in the 2014 draft, he became the second Canadian born player to have the honor. Before ever playing, however, the team flipped him to Minnesota in exchange for Kevin Love.
Mitchel Wiggins spent ten years in the NBA, bouncing around teams. He started out with the Bulls before going to Houston, leaving the league altogether, then coming back to play for Houston again and Philadelphia.
Dell Curry And Seth Curry
Dell Curry makes a second appearance on this list thanks to his other son, Seth Curry. While Seth might not be the MVP-caliber player his brother is, he has found a niche for himself as a reliable role player.
Since starting his career with the Warriors, Curry has bounced around the league. Most recently, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks where he was having a stellar season until the league year was unexpectedly suspended.
Harvey Grant And Jerami Grant
Drafted in 2014 by the 76ers, Jerami Grant has made a steady name for himself in the NBA. Since he began his career, he has averaged 24.1 minutes played per game. In 2018 he had a career year averaging over 30 minutes per game and 13.6 points-per-game.
Jerami's father, Harvey Grant, had a similar career. Playing first for the Washington Bullets, he would also play for the Trail Blazers and 76ers.
Jaren Jackson And Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jaren Jackson Jr. was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2018 and made an instant impact. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team and was due to have a breakout sophomore season. Unfortunately, a deep thigh bruise in 2019 left him unable to play.
Jaren Sr. played in the NBA for over a decade, beginning his career in 1989 with the New Jersey Nets and ending it in 2002 with the Orlando Magic.
Corey Crowder And Jae Crowder
Jae Crowder began his career as a bit player for the Dallas Mavericks before finally spreading his wings with the Boston Celtics in 2014. He was a key member of Boston's mid-2010s revival before finding his way to Cleveland.
Corey Crowder only played in 58 career NBA games. From 1991 until 1995 he averaged 2.1 points-per-game, making a minimal impact with the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs. He ended his career overseas.
Sonny Parker And Jabari Parker
Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2014, Jabari Parker has spent time in his NBA career playing for several teams. In 2020, Parker played for the Sacramento Kings after being traded by the Atlanta Hawks.
Jabari's dad, Sonny Parker, played his entire NBA career with the Golden State Warriors. He averaged 9.9 points-per-game and 4.1 rebounds per-game. In 1990, he established a non-profit to help inner-city youth in Chicago.
Darren Daye And Austin Daye
Austin Daye accomplished a lot during his short NBA career. Drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2009, he would go on to play for the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, where he would win an NBA Championship.
Darren Daye also had a short NBA career, for playing for the Washington Bullets in 1983. In 1986, Daye played with the Chicago Bulls, then ended his career with the Celtics. Neither Daye let the end of their NBA career stop them from playing basketball and went overseas.
Mike Dunleavy And Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Mike Dunleavy Jr. spent 16 seasons in the NBA, playing for the Warriors, Pacers, Bucks, Bulls, Cavs, and Hawks. He saw the most success in Chicago where he averaged over 30 minutes per game.
Mike Dunleavy Sr. is one of the most respected former NBA stars. After a long career as a player, he moved into the league's coaching ranks, where he was named the Coach of the Year in 1999.
Wayne Chapman And Rex Chapman
Today, Rex Chapman is best known for his Twitter account. His feel-good posts have helped heal the former NBA star of his troubled past. A stud on the court, injuries eventually turned Chapman into an addict, a problem that he spent years overcoming.
Wayne Chapman played in the American Basketball Association before it was merged with The NBA. Over the course of his five seasons, he played for the Kentucky Colonels, Denver Rockets, and Indiana Pacers.
Terry Davis And Ed Davis
Drafted by the Toronto Raptors in 2013, Ed Davis has moved around the NBA, most recently playing for the Utah Jazz. Throughout his career, he has averaged 20.2 minutes per game, and has been a steady bench presence.
Terry Davis was considered one of the bright young stars of the NBA, and ranked 15th in the league in 1991 with 9.9 rebounds-per-game. Sadly, injuries became a major issue in his playing days, although he still managed to find success as a role player.
Gary Trent And Gary Trent Jr.
One of the youngest players on this list, Gary Trent Jr. still has a long way to go to step out of the shadow of his father's legacy. After being drafted in 2018, he was immediately traded and assigned to the G-League.
His father, Gary Trent Sr., played for the Portland Trail Blazers after being drafted and spent ten years in the NBA. In 2004 he took his talents to Greece and eventually retired in 2007.
Glenn Robinson Jr. And Glenn Robinson III
Glenn Robinson III was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2014 with the 40th overall pick. One year later he was released, leading the 76ers to sign him. Still in his 20s, Robinson III has plenty of time to find his NBA footing.
Glenn Robinson played in the NBA from 1994 until 2005. He was twice named an All-Star and won an NBA Championship in 2005. He was forced to retire early due to injuries.
Larry Drew And Larry Drew II
Larry Drew II made his NBA debut with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015. His first start came against the New Orleans Pelicans, but was unable to maintain his spot in the starting lineup. Since then, he has split time between the G-League and the NBA.
In contrast, Larry Drew Sr. was a celebrated star who played from 1980 until 1991. After retiring, Drew got into coaching, eventually winning an NBA Championship in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sidney Green And Taurean Green
Taurean Green's NBA career was short. Originally drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, he bounced up and down from the G-League to the NBA. After a brief stint in Denver, it was all but over for Green, who began playing professionally overseas.
Sidney Green played in the NBA for 11 seasons. A true journeyman by every definition, he spent time in Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, New York, San Antonio, and Charlotte.
Ron Brewer And Ronnie Brewer
Throughout his NBA career, Ronnie Brewer played for several organizations as a backup and a starter. His most prominent season came in 2208-09, when he started 80 games, averaged 32.2 minutes per game, and scored 13.7 points-per-game.
Ron Brewer played for eight seasons in the NBA with six different teams. His rookie season with the Trail Blazers was his most notable as he won the Rookie of the Year award.
John Lucas Jr. And John Lucas III
For 13 seasons, John Lucas III played back and forth with the NBA and other overseas organizations. He saw his first NBA action with the Houston Rockets in 2005, and last played with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017.
John Lucas Jr. had a steady 15 season career in the NBA from 1976 until 1990. He bounced around the league, but always managed to find his way on the court. When he retired he went into coaching and currently works in the player development department for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Milt Wagner And Dajuan Wagner
Dajuan Wagner will always be a "what if" player in the NBA. Taken with the 6th overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Cavaliers, Wagner only spent three years in the league thanks to constant injuries.
Milt Wagner spent most of his professional career overseas, although he did play briefly with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat. He is one of the few players in history to win a high school title, college title, and professional championship.
Paul Pressey And Phil Pressey
Phil Pressey ran up and down an NBA court for five seasons as a member of four different teams - the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and the Golden State Warriors (on their developmental squad).
Phil's father, Paul, played for 12 seasons, mostly with the Milwaukee Bucks. When he retired he turned to coaching and was given his first shot as an assistant by the Golden State Warriors. He most recently worked on the staff of the Los Angeles Lakers