Bronny and LeBron James are on the brink of creating one of the most memorable moments in NBA history. The Los Angeles Lakers' selection of LeBron’s eldest son, Bronny, as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has set the stage for a potential father-son duo that the league has never seen before. Should they both grace the court in the upcoming season, it would be the first time a father-son pair plays together in the NBA. This isn't just a rarity in basketball; it’s a highlight across all professional sports.
Father-son duos playing together in professional sports is a remarkable feat, and while it’s happened in other leagues, the NBA’s history remains uncharted in this respect. The only father-son duo in NFL history to play on the same team was Ted and Charlie Nesser. They played for the Columbus Panhandles against the Akron World's Champions on September 25, 1921. The Nessers’ story doesn’t end there, as Ted and Charlie were among six brothers who all had stints with the Panhandles during the early 20th century. This team eventually rebranded as the Columbus Tigers before disbanding in 1926.
In the world of hockey, the legendary Gordie Howe achieved what LeBron and Bronny aim to in the NBA. Gordie played alongside his sons Mark and Marty for the NHL's Hartford Whalers during the 1979-80 season. This trio had an incredible journey that began when Gordie came out of retirement to join his sons in the World Hockey Association's Houston Aeros in 1973. Notably, Mark Howe's first professional goal came exactly 27 years to the day after his father’s first goal with the Detroit Red Wings. Gordie Howe’s return to the NHL with the Whalers was nothing short of impressive, posting 15 goals and 26 assists in their shared season.
Baseball also boasts instances of father-son combinations taking the field together. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played for the Seattle Mariners from 1990 to 1991, sharing an iconic moment on September 14, 1990, when they hit back-to-back home runs in the same game. Junior’s 1990 season stats were impressive, scoring 91 runs, hitting 22 homers, and sporting a .300 batting average. Another notable instance in baseball was with Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr., who both played in the outfield for the Baltimore Orioles towards the end of the 2001 season. They shared the field on October 4, 2001, with Raines Sr. in left field and Raines Jr. in center field.
As Bronny and LeBron prepare to potentially make history, it's worth noting they will join the ranks of father-son duos within the NBA who both made it into the league. Among these pairs are Greg and Cole Anthony, Mychal and Klay Thompson, Bill and Luke Walton, and the iconic Curry family with Dell, Steph, and Seth Curry.
While these family ties in professional sports highlight legacy and talent passed through generations, the very prospect of LeBron and Bronny sharing the same court brings a unique chapter to basketball’s rich tapestry. It stands as a testament to LeBron's longevity and Bronny's emerging talent. If this father-son tandem takes the court, it will cement an extraordinary accomplishment in sports history, forever etching their names together in the annals of the NBA.