Bronny and LeBron James are on the verge of making sports history. The Los Angeles Lakers have selected LeBron’s eldest son, Bronny, as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Should they both step onto the court in the upcoming season, it would mark the first instance of a father-son duo playing together in the NBA, a feat that is unprecedented in the league's rich history.
Historical sports moments featuring father-son duos extend beyond the NBA, permeating through the NFL, NHL, and MLB. The NFL's only father-son duo to have played on the same team was Ted and Charlie Nesser. They lined up together for the Columbus Panhandles against the Akron World's Champions on September 25, 1921. The Panhandles, which later rebranded as the Columbus Tigers, disbanded in 1926. The Nesser family, a sports legacy in their own right, included six brothers—John, Paul, Phil, Ted, Frank, and Al—who all played for the Panhandles at various points in the early 20th century.
In the realm of hockey, Gordie Howe set a remarkable precedent by playing alongside his sons Mark and Marty for the NHL's Hartford Whalers. Gordie initially joined his sons in professional hockey when he made a comeback to play with them for the World Hockey Association's Houston Aeros in 1973. Interestingly, Mark Howe netted his first professional goal exactly 27 years after Gordie's initial tally with the Detroit Red Wings. The Howe trio transitioned to the NHL's Hartford Whalers for the 1979-80 season, with Gordie contributing an impressive 15 goals and 26 assists at 51 years old.
Baseball has also seen its share of father-son collaborations. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. shared the outfield for the Seattle Mariners between 1990 and 1991. They famously hit back-to-back home runs on September 14, 1990, a highlight in a season where Ken Griffey Jr. scored 91 runs, hit 22 homers, and maintained a .300 batting average. Another notable duo in MLB history, Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr., played together for the Baltimore Orioles towards the end of the 2001 season. They patrolled the outfield in a memorable game on October 4, 2001, with Tim Sr. in left field and Tim Jr. in center field.
The NBA, although yet to witness an on-court father-son duo, boasts several pairs who have both been drafted into the league. Noteworthy combinations include Greg and Cole Anthony, Mychal and Klay Thompson, Bill and Luke Walton, and the Curry family trio of Dell, Steph, and Seth.
As the upcoming NBA season looms, the potential for LeBron and Bronny James to play alongside one another captures the imaginations of basketball fans worldwide. This historic possibility not only underscores LeBron's extraordinary longevity and skill but also heralds the arrival of Bronny, carrying the legacy of the James name into a new generation.