Second-generation NBA gamers are plentiful, and why not?
Dads can move down their top, dedication and athleticism. Dad’s good-looking compensation can afford a son the chance to observe in his footsteps. And Dad’s drive can function a highway map.
Dylan Harper, the second decide within the NBA Draft on Wednesday, is the most recent budding star whose father was adorned earlier than him. Ron Harper capped a 15-year NBA profession by successful 5 NBA championships in his final six seasons, back-to-back titles with the Lakers in 2000 and 2001 after three with the Chicago Bulls in 1996, ’97 and ’98.
Ron Harper of the Lakers drives for a layup at Staples Heart.
(Paul Morse / Los Angeles Instances)
Dylan, a 6-foot-5 guard out of Rutgers, was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. His brother, Ron Harper Jr., is also within the NBA, having performed in 11 video games for the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors the final three years.
In another sport, the progeny of a former star participant ascending to the very best degree could be particularly noteworthy. That Ron Harper’s sons are on the cusp of comparable careers as their dad was nothing out of the atypical.
LeBron James and his oldest son, Bronny, famously grew to become the primary father-son duo to take the court docket on the similar time within the Lakers’ season opener final October. However that’s simply one of many many dynamics of a son selecting the identical profession path to the NBA as his dad.
Lakers ahead LeBron James greets his son and teammate Bronny James, proper, throughout warm-ups.
(Gerald Herbert / Related Press)
The phenomenon goes again a good distance. Two sons of Minneapolis Lakers legend George Mikan — a five-time All-NBA heart within the early Nineteen Fifties — had been drafted into the NBA, with one, Larry, enjoying 53 video games in 1970-71.
Throughout a 15-year profession that resulted in 1964, Corridor of Fame heart Dolph Shayes averaged 18.5 factors and 12.1 rebounds a sport. His son, Danny Shayes, outdid Dad in profession longevity, enjoying 18 years by means of 1999 for seven groups, together with a brief stint with the Lakers.
Butch Van Breda Kolff performed 4 seasons within the Nineteen Forties and in 1976 his son, Jan, grew to become the primary participant to face a workforce coached by his father when Jan performed for the New York Nets whereas Butch coached the New Orleans Jazz. Butch additionally coached the Lakers to the NBA Finals in 1968 and ‘69, where they lost to the Boston Celtics both times.
Other sons who faced teams coached by their fathers — who also played in the NBA — include Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Sr., Coby and George Karl, and Austin and Doc Rivers.
Austin Rivers also became the first to play for his father in an NBA game when he was traded to the Clippers in 2015. At first, he wasn’t thrilled when his dad known as to alert him of the proposed deal.
“And it does, just because of the relationship I have with him. It’s already kind of basketball oriented … It’s not so much like father-son. It’s just kind of like coach-player and then off the court, we deal with that a different way.”
Sons who achieved greater than their father abound. Dell Curry was no slouch, averaging 11.7 factors and incomes $19.8 million over a 16-year NBA profession that resulted in 2002. One son, Seth, is in his eleventh season, having averaged 10 factors whereas incomes $45 million.
1. Toronto Raptors’ Dell Curry lands on prime of Path Blazers’ Damon Stoudamire as he drives to the ring throughout their NBA sport Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000, in Portland, Ore. (JACK SMITH/ASSOCIATED PRESS) 2. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry drives previous Houston Rockets ahead Amen Thompson (1) through the second half of Sport 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff collection, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Houston. (David J. Phillip / Related Press)
Dell’s different son, Stephen, is a sure Corridor of Famer, acknowledged as maybe one of the best pure shooter in historical past. He’s led the Golden State Warriors to 4 NBA titles whereas averaging 24.4 factors and incomes $357.8 million over 16 seasons.
Klay Thompson was a teammate of Steph Curry on all 4 Warriors championship groups, and he’s averaged 19.1 factors whereas incomes $268.8 million over 12 seasons. That simply eclipses the exploits of his loquacious father, Mychal Thompson, who received two titles with the Lakers earlier than changing into a broadcaster with the workforce in addition to a radio character.
The record of father-son duos is simply too lengthy to say all of them. Listed here are a handful.
Three sons of Corridor of Fame guard Rick Barry performed within the NBA, with Brent having fun with probably the most success. UCLA product Mike Bibby outdid his dad by enjoying 14 years to Henry’s 9. Kevin Love outplayed his father, however Stan Love’s affiliation with the Seaside Boys stood out.
The daddy-son combos embody a bunch of juniors along with the Harpers and Dunleavys, amongst them the Larry Drews, the Patrick Ewings, the Wealthy Dumases, the Matt Guokases, the Tim Hardaways, the Gerald Hendersons, the Jaren Jacksons, the John Lucases, the Wes Matthewses, the Larry Nances, the Gary Paytons, the James Paxsons, the Scottie Pippins, Glen Rice, Glenn Robinson, the Wally Szczerbiaks, the Gary Trents and the Duane Washingtons.
And, after all, there are extra Lakers ties.
Luke Walton matched his father with two NBA championships and in addition coached the Lakers, however couldn’t attain the cult standing of Invoice Walton, a UCLA legend whose quirky, outsized character transcended his achievements on the court docket.
The previous Laker who did certainly transcend not solely his father’s profession however that of practically each participant was Kobe Bryant. His father, Joe (Jellybean) Bryant, died final July, 4 years after his son tragically died in a helicopter crash that additionally took the lives of his daughter, Gianna, and 7 others.
The fractious relationship between Kobe and his father is well-chronicled, and so they hardly ever spoke after Kobe married his spouse, Vanessa.
Dylan Harper’s relationship together with his father is stronger, though Ron Harper divorced Dylan’s mom in 2012. She raised her two sons and a daughter as a single mother who additionally occurred to educate highschool basketball and run a journey program.
Maria Harper, a former Division I participant on the College of New Orleans, was an assistant boys’ coach when her sons performed at Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey.
“She was hard but loving,” Dylan instructed the Athletic in 2023. “She wasn’t just tough on me, either. Everyone got a little bit of it.”
Ron Sr. moved close to his ex-wife in 2007. But he pointed recruiters to Maria when Dylan was being wooed by schools.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of him, but I don’t want this to be about me,” he mentioned on the time.
But like all father, Ron Sr. was happy with his son’s accomplishments.
“When Dylan was 5 years old, I told people he was going to be really good,” he mentioned. “He reminded me of me.”
Dylan Harper may exceed his father’s accomplishments in the best way that Bryant and Curry did — or fail to take action. Along with successful 5 titles, Ron Harper averaged 13.8 factors and three.9 assists in 1,009 NBA video games.
Both approach, Dylan is about to affix a prolonged record of gamers whose fathers blazed a path they adopted.
