Top 20 Basketball FamilIes
The best basketball-playing families have to be hoopers first. Here is a list of the best bloodlines on the hardwood.
#20
Manute & Bol Bol
While not the best two players to make the list, they certainly are the tallest. As you would expect, both Manute Bol and Bol Bol are known for being exceptional shot blockers. Manute led the NBA in that category in two of his first four seasons and ended his career averaging over three blocks a game. Bol Bol has played just 328 minutes in the NBA over three seasons but showed tremendous flashes in his high school and (albeit brief) collegiate career.
Manute Bol
Despite his 7’7″ stature, Manute never really developed a low-post game and actually spent a lot of time on the perimeter.
Bol Bol
Bol Bol is ultra talented but hasn’t yet been given the chance to shine. Given the right opportunity, I think he could be special.
#19
Rick & Jalen Brunson
Rick Brunson and his son, Jalen Brunson, have established themselves as one of basketball’s notable father-son duos. Rick enjoyed a nine-year NBA career as a tough, defensive-minded point guard before transitioning into coaching. Jalen has surpassed even those accomplishments, becoming an NBA All-Star and one of the league’s premier guards, leading the New York Knicks with his scoring, leadership, and clutch performances. Together, the Brunsons represent a basketball family built on toughness, intelligence, and a deep understanding of the game.
Rick Brunson
Jalen Brunson
#18
Gary Trent Sr. & Jr.
Both Gary Senior and Junior worked hard on the basketball court. Dad was a lottery pick. He played for six different teams over a nine-year career which featured five trips to the post-season. Unlike his father, Gary Trent Jr. was a 2nd round draft pick. However, he has already reached heights in the league his father didn’t quite get to by being a full-time starter in just his fourth season. Ironically, both of their careers started with the Portland Trail Blazers. Even more surreal, each player’s second team was also the same: The Toronto Raptors.
Gary Trent
Gary Sr. was not overly talented, but he got the most out of himself. He ushered in what I like to call the oblong undersized power forward.
Gary Trent Jr.
While his father played a more back-to-the-basket game, Gary Jr. thrives from the outside. Good scorer, good defender, and still underrated somehow. In 2022, with Toronto, he finished 13th in the NBA in three-point attempts per game. Despite also being a good defender, he is still somehow underrated.
#17
Glen Robinson II & III
Glenn Robinson, “Big Dog,” was a dominant scorer and two-time NBA All-Star known for his athleticism and ability to take over games in the late ’90s and early 2000s. His son, Glenn Robinson III, has followed in his footsteps, bringing energy, versatility, and athleticism to the court, carving out a solid NBA career and showing that the Robinson family’s impact on basketball spans generations.
Glenn Robinson
Big Dog’s college career was legendary at Purdue. His NBA career had some sparks, especially with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was a bucket getter, averaging over 20 points per game in his career. Somehow, he is still overlooked.
Glenn Robinson III
If his Dad was a Lamborghini, he was a Ford Escape. Four wheels and an engine, but not the same performance.
#16
The Grant Family
Just like other families on this list, the Grant’s have a rich basketball history. Horace and Harvey, twin brothers, were born on the 4th of July. Since then, Harvey had three basketball sons in Jerami, Jerian and Jerai.
Harvey Grant
Harvey Grant is a great guy and was a serviceable basketball player. While he never reached the levels of his twin brother, Horace, he still lasted 11 years in the NBA.
Jerami Grant
Jerian Grant
Jerai Grant
#15
The McGee-Stafford Family
Pamela played in the WNBA. George Stafford played internationally. That union yields Javale and Imani.
Javale McGee Pamela McGee
Imani McGee-Stafford
George Stafford
#14
Henry & Mike Bibby
Henry Bibby and his son, Mike Bibby, represent one of basketball’s most accomplished father-son legacies. Henry Bibby won three NCAA championships at UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden before enjoying a nine-year NBA career and later becoming a successful college coach. Mike Bibby followed in his father’s footsteps, starring at the University of Arizona and spending 14 seasons in the NBA, where he became one of the league’s premier point guards and helped lead the Sacramento Kings during their memorable early-2000s playoff runs.
Henry Bibby
Henry was a solid player and a better coach. A close friend of mine once said, “Bibby was a nice man. He was a tough, solid player. He wasn’t Clyde Frazier, but he was good.”
Mike Bibby
Mike Bibby was a fan favorite in the NBA. Super solid player with the ability to shoot. Some believe he and his dad were very similar in their style of play.
#13
Larry Nance Sr. & Jr.
In the first pack of basketball cards I bought as a child, a Larry Nance card of him dunking with those straight legs lay in the middle. While Dad was the far more accomplished player, they do play a similar brand of basketball.
Larry Nance Sr.
Nance Sr. was the essence of power forward play in the late 80’s and early 90’s. He was super athletic, strong and played his role.
Larry Nance Jr.
Nothing flashy here, but playing with LeBron James highlighted Nance Jr’s athleticism.
#12
Ernie Vandeweghe & Kiki Vandeweghe
Ernie “Mr. Outside” Vandeweghe was a legendary player in the ABA and NBA, known for his smooth shooting, leadership, and basketball IQ. His son, Kiki Vandeweghe, has followed in his father’s footsteps by staying connected to the game, carrying forward the family’s love and knowledge of basketball, and continuing the Johnson legacy in the sport.
Ernie Vandeweghe
Ernie Vandeweghe was a skilled forward who played in the NBA during the 1950s and early 1960s. Known for his scoring ability and versatility, he spent the majority of his career with the New York Knicks, earning an NBA All-Star selection in 1956.
Kiki Vandeweghe
Kiki was one of the best scorers in the NBA in the 1980’s.
#11
Doc & Austin Rivers
Doc Rivers is a Hall of Fame-caliber coach and former NBA player, known for his leadership, defensive savvy, and ability to guide teams to success, including an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. His son, Austin Rivers, has carried on that basketball legacy as a talented guard, bringing scoring, playmaking, and toughness to every team he’s played for, proving that the Rivers name represents both skill and basketball intelligence across generations.
Doc Rivers
Another one of Chicago’s very own, Glen “Doc” Rivers, was a good defender and an athletic guard.
Austin Rivers
Austin was an animal in high school and college. He struggled to find his footing in the NBA before nepotism reared its head and his father signed him to the Clippers, saving his career as a professional.
#10
Gary Payton Sr. & Jr.
The Glove was a defensive force in the NBA, known for his toughness, leadership, and clutch play with the Seattle SuperSonics, earning him a well-deserved spot in the Hall of Fame. His son, Gary Payton II, has followed that same path, bringing intensity, athleticism, and lockdown defense to every game. After working his way up in the league, Payton II became a key contributor for the Golden State Warriors, helping them capture the 2022 NBA championship and showing that defense and hustle never go out of style.
Gary Payton Sr.
Gary Payton, known as “The Glove,” had a legendary NBA career defined by his tenacious defense, leadership, and competitiveness. In 1996, he earned the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award — the only point guard ever to do so.
Gary Payton Jr.
Known for his elite perimeter defense and energy, Payton II became a key role player during the Warriors’ 2022 championship run. Despite facing injuries and setbacks, his determination and defensive intensity have earned him respect across the league and solidified his place as one of the NBA’s premier on-ball defenders.
#9
Dolph & Danny Schayes
I’m not a huge fan of basketball around the civil rights movement because African American players were not given a fair shot, but Dolph deserves to be mentioned.
Dolph Schayes
Dolph was awarded NBA Top 50, Top 75, Coach of the Year (1966) and Hall of Fame.
Danny Schayes
If his dad were a Lamborghini, he would be a Ford Escape. Four wheels and an engine, but not the same performance.
#8
Bill and Luke Walton
Bill Walton is a Hall of Fame center known for his dominant passing, rebounding, and basketball IQ, as well as his impact on the Portland Trail Blazers’ 1977 championship run. Despite injuries cutting parts of his career short, Walton’s skill and vision left a lasting mark on the game. His son, Luke Walton, carried that basketball lineage into the NBA, first as a smart, versatile forward and later as a coach, proving that the Walton family’s understanding of the game extends well beyond the court.
Bill Walton
Derek “Pops” Williams has a love-hate relationship with Bill Walton, but Big Bill was great in college and won an MVP award in the NBA.
Luke Walton
Luke was not the best player I’ve been around, but he was one of the smartest players for sure. Brothers Nate, Chris, and Adam need to be mentioned as well.
#7
Joe Bryant and Kobe Bryant
Joe Bryant, “Jellybean,” had a solid NBA career in the ’70s and ’80s, known for his scoring ability and basketball IQ, and later took his talents overseas to continue playing and coaching. His son, Kobe Bryant, took the game to legendary heights—five-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and one of the greatest scorers in history. Kobe combined an unmatched work ethic, killer instinct, and artistry on the court, leaving a lasting impact on basketball worldwide while carrying forward his family’s basketball legacy.
Joe Bryant
Bean was a good athlete, a solid finisher, and, above all else, tough. A natural forward with a load of potential.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe is one of the game’s best one-on-one players. His inner drive propelled him to become one of the greatest players of all time.
#6
Tim Hardaway Sr. & Jr.
Tim Hardaway was one of the most electrifying point guards in NBA history, known for his killer crossover, scoring ability, and on-court leadership. His son, Tim Hardaway Jr., has carried on that basketball legacy with his own scoring talent and versatility, becoming a reliable contributor in the NBA and proving that the Hardaway name still stands for skill, competitiveness, and a fearless approach to the game.
Tim Hardaway
The point guard of Run TMC, Tim, developed the “killer crossover” that became fundamental to guard play. He was also a great shooter. Doesn’t hurt that he’s from the great basketball city of Chicago.
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Unlike his father, Tim Jr. is primarily a catch-and-shoot player. With very high expectations placed on him, he has carved out a decent NBA career. With an average of more than 13 points per game through nine seasons.
#5
Jimmy Walker & Jalen Rose
The lack of a relationship between Walker and Rose is well documented. Rose used this to fuel his career at the University of Michigan and in the League.
Jimmy Walker
Jimmy Walker was a scoring guard of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Walker enjoyed a successful nine-year NBA career.
Jalen Rose
The mouth of the Fab 5 and a big guard in the NBA, Jalen’s Detroit toughness and smooth game will never allow him to be forgotten.
#4
Dell, Steph, and Seth Curry
The core fundamentals and values around shooting gave Dell a career. That career gave his sons, Steph and Seth, information and resources (along with a genetic predisposition) to become the greatest basketball-playing family of all time.
Dell Curry
Daddy Curry was a pure shooter.
Steph & Seth Curry
Steph is the greatest shooter in NBA history, no question. While Seth will never reach those heights, he is no slouch in that area, either.
#3
The Thompson Family
Mychal Thompson was a versatile and skilled big man, a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, known for his scoring, rebounding, and steady presence on the court. His sons, Klay and Trayce Thompson, have carried on the family legacy—Klay as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history with multiple championships for the Golden State Warriors, and Trayce making his mark in Major League Baseball—showing that the Thompson family’s athletic talent spans generations and sports.
Mychal Thompson
Not quite the shooter of his kids, Mychal was a solid scoring option and underrated playmaker, especially for a big.
Mychel Thompson Jr. & Klay Thompson
Klay is one of the best shooters to ever play this game. Mychel never quite reached those heights.
#2
The Barry Family
Rick Barry is an NBA Hall of Famer, celebrated for his scoring, smooth shooting, and unique free-throw style. A Finals MVP and one of the game’s all-time great forwards, he left an unforgettable mark on basketball. His sons—Brent, Jon, and Drew—carried on the family legacy in their own ways: Brent with his sharpshooting, Jon with his versatility and basketball IQ, and Drew making his mark overseas and in coaching, showing that the Barry name continues to influence the game at every level.
Rick Barry
One of the best shooters the game has ever seen, Rick Barry is well known for his unorthodox free-throw shooting.
Barry Brothers
All of the Barry brothers can play. Brent was a great athlete, Jon could shoot the ball, and Drew was a very traditional point guard. The lesser-known Canyon is most known for adopting his father’s free-throw style.
#1
Arvydas, and Domantas Sabonis
The Sabonis clan is the best European family to influence the game of basketball. At the NBA level, Arvydas best days were already behind him, and with Domantas, his best days might still be in front.
Arvydas Sabonis
Arvydas is widely considered the best European basketball player of all time.
Domantas Sabonis
Domantas is a skilled big man who is a mini version of his father.
