The NBA has seen more and more second-generation players enter the league over the past few decades. The growth and development of any sport will be witnessed by prospects who have grown up loving sport as a part of their family life. Players whose fathers played in the league in previous eras will have a big target on their backs. Following in their father’s footsteps when entering the NBA comes with both ups and downs. Some people can’t handle the extra pressure that comes from expectations that rise without their own control. However, some of them, moving forward, can create a legacy on their own. In this article, we will have a look at those players who have proven to be better than their fathers in the game.
10) Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins started playing in the NBA in 2014 and has been very successful and impressive in the sport since then. He made his first All-Star appearance and contributed on both ends when the Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship. The hype for him entering the league as the No. 1 pick and the son of a former NBA player was huge. Wiggins’ father, Mitchell Wiggins, spent a little less than a decade in the league trying to get rotation minutes. Andrew’s success has already put him past his father and a large percentage of all-time NBA players.
9) Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson began his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks and spent four seasons with them. Jalen’s father, Rick Brunson, was a bench player in the league and spent a few years with the Knicks. Jalen was signed by the New York Knicks in 2022 and the same year, his father was hired by the Knicks as an assistant coach, which has certainly helped his son progress. Jalen had a breakout season for the Mavericks and has already surpassed his father’s legacy in the league.
8) Kevin Love
Kevin Love entered the league in 2008 and spent the initial six seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. His father, Stan Love, spent several years trying to make his mark with minimal playing time before falling out of the league. Kevin has added a lot of NBA success to the family league as a multi-time All-Star and NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kevin’s NBA career continues to grow today, with his recent success as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate indicating another potential chapter in his career moving forward.
7) Jerami Grant
Horace Grant of the 90s Chicago Bulls is remembered more than his brother, Harvey Grant. This has caused confusion with the current new generation of Grant siblings in the league. Many people believe they are Horace’s sons since very few people remember Harvey, and it doesn’t help that they are identical twins. Jerami Grant has been the most successful of his siblings, with great statistics on the Detroit Pistons and a new leading role on the Portland Trail Blazers. Jerami’s NBA success has already surpassed that of his father Harvey, and he has a chance to match or surpass his uncle Horace.
6) Domantas Sabonis
The father-son duo of Arvydas and Domantas Sabonis is one of the most interesting ones and both are extremely talented. Arvydas was more successful internationally and became a rare story of someone coming to the United States at the end of his career in the NBA. The Portland Trail Blazers had some good moments with Arvydas, but injuries prevented him from utilizing his talent to become an All-Star-caliber player. Domantas has already made the All-Star team twice and has put up much better numbers in the league than his father.
5) Klay Thompson
Having many things in common brought the Splash Brothers together on the Golden State Warriors. Klay Thompson is one of the greatest shooters of all time, right behind Stephen Curry and both of their fathers had relatively successful NBA careers. Mychal Thompson was a much-underrated player who spent over a decade in the league and contributed to two Los Angeles Lakers NBA championships. Mychal’s scoring was impressive, but he never got close to his son’s level. Klay is already considered one of the best shooting guards of all time.
4) Al Horford
Al Horford’s father, Tito, made history as the first Dominican-born player to play in the NBA. Tito was talented, but he was a journeyman trying to find the right roster. Tito opened the doors for many athletes from the Dominican Republic who loved basketball, but his son Al has taken it to new heights. The Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks each had Al as their center during some of their good years in recent memory. Al is an incredible all-round player with many years of sustained greatness and a chance to win an NBA championship with the Celtics.
3) Devin Booker
Most NBA fans have no idea that Devin Booker’s father played in the NBA because it is not discussed like most of the players on the list. Melvin Booker spent a few years in the NBA trying to make it with the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately, Melvin was never able to rise like his son has. Devin Booker has undoubtedly become one of the best shooting guards in the league. The Phoenix Suns have made Booker the face of their franchise, and they strongly believe this will lead to an NBA championship.
2) Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe Bryant, played nearly eight seasons in the NBA as a great talent for the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets during the 1970s and 1980s. The “Black Mamba” took it to the next level by instantly breaking into the NBA as a top player and living up to the hype. Kobe’s success was so strong that, like most young prospects entering the league, he was rarely compared to his father.
1) Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is living up to Dell Curry’s legacy as one of the greatest examples of an NBA father-son duo thriving in the league. 90s fans will remember Dell as one of the best three-point shooters at a time when it was rare. Stephen entered the NBA with high expectations as a lottery pick and went on to become one of the greatest players of all time. He made three-point shots even more important and changed the game.
