LeBron James and his eldest son, Bronny, are on the brink of making NBA history. The Los Angeles Lakers have selected Bronny as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Should both take to the court in the upcoming season, it would mark the first time a father-son duo has ever played together in the NBA—a groundbreaking milestone for the league.
While the NBA has never seen a father and son play on the same team, other sports have witnessed this rare phenomenon. Perhaps the most notable example from another sport is the NFL's Ted and Charlie Nesser. The Nessers played for the Columbus Panhandles against the Akron World's Champions on September 25, 1921. The connection lasted until the Columbus Panhandles rebranded as the Columbus Tigers, which folded in 1926. The Nesser family legacy was significant, with six brothers—John, Paul, Phil, Ted, Frank, and Al—appearing in games for the Panhandles throughout the early 20th century.
Meanwhile, in the NHL, Gordie Howe played alongside his sons, Mark and Marty Howe, further illustrating the multi-generational talent in families. Initially, Mark and Marty took to the ice for the Toronto Marlboros in the Ontario Hockey League during the 1972-73 season. Gordie, not ready to hang up his skates, made a remarkable return to professional hockey by joining his sons in the World Hockey Association's Houston Aeros in 1973. Mark Howe impressively scored his first professional goal exactly 27 years after Gordie netted his first with the Detroit Red Wings. The Howe family later transitioned into the NHL with the Hartford Whalers in the 1979-80 season, where Gordie contributed 15 goals and 26 assists.
Baseball fans will also recall father-son duos making history on the same team. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played for the Seattle Mariners from 1990 to 1991, creating unforgettable memories for fans. On September 14, 1990, they achieved a remarkable feat by hitting back-to-back home runs. During the 1990 season, Ken Griffey Jr. had a significant impact, scoring 91 runs, hitting 22 home runs, and posting a batting average of .300.
In more recent history, Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr. shared the outfield for the Baltimore Orioles in the latter part of the 2001 season. The memorable moment came on October 4, 2001, when Tim Raines Sr. played in left field while his son patrolled center field, adding another chapter to the list of notable father-son accomplishments in professional sports.
As LeBron and Bronny James prepare to potentially share the NBA stage, they follow in the footsteps of prominent father-son pairs who have both been drafted into the league. Noteworthy NBA duos include Greg and Cole Anthony, Mychal and Klay Thompson, Bill and Luke Walton, and the Curry family trio of Dell, Steph, and Seth.
This unique event not only highlights the enduring legacy of the James family but also underscores the increasing trend of multi-generational athletic talent making headlines across sports. Fans and analysts are keenly watching to see if LeBron and Bronny will indeed make history by taking to the court together, a moment that will surely be celebrated and remembered for years to come.