Bronny and LeBron James are poised to etch their names into the annals of sports history. The Los Angeles Lakers recently selected Bronny, LeBron’s eldest son, as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Should both take the court this upcoming season, the NBA will witness an unprecedented event – a father-son duo playing together on the same team.
This occurrence is not just a milestone for basketball but a rare phenomenon across major professional sports leagues. Historically, the NFL's only father-son duo to share the field was Ted and Charlie Nesser, who played for the Columbus Panhandles against the Akron World's Champions on September 25, 1921. Notably, the Panhandles were later disbanded and rebranded as the Columbus Tigers, which played until 1926.
The Nessers were more than a father-son pairing; they were part of a football dynasty. Ted and Charlie were joined by six brothers—John, Paul, Phil, Ted, Frank, and Al—who all had stints with the Panhandles in the early 20th century, making their mark on the sport in the decades preceding professional football's widespread popularity.
In the realm of hockey, Gordie Howe reinforced his legend by playing alongside his sons, Mark and Marty, for the NHL's Hartford Whalers during the 1979-80 season. This partnership followed their time together in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Gordie's return to hockey to join his sons in the WHA's Houston Aeros in 1973 drew significant attention. A remarkable anecdote from this period is that Mark Howe scored his first professional goal exactly 27 years after Gordie netted his inaugural goal with the Detroit Red Wings. Gordie demonstrated age was just a number, contributing 15 goals and 26 assists during his tenure with the Whalers.
Major League Baseball also boasts memorable father-son collaborations. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played side by side for the Seattle Mariners from 1990 to 1991. Their joint effort reached a peak on September 14, 1990, when they hit back-to-back home runs, a rare and unforgettable moment in baseball history. Ken Griffey Jr. had an outstanding 1990 season, scoring 91 runs, hitting 22 home runs, and maintaining a .300 batting average.
In 2001, Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr. shared the outfield for the Baltimore Orioles. On October 4, 2001, Tim Raines Sr. played left field while his son took center field, symbolizing the generational bridge in their shared passion for baseball.
With the Lakers' recent draft, LeBron and Bronny James are set to join the ranks of notable NBA father-son duos. Though many fathers and sons have both played in the NBA, none have shared the court simultaneously. This list includes famous pairs like Greg and Cole Anthony, Mychal and Klay Thompson, Bill and Luke Walton, and the Curry family with Dell, Steph, and Seth.
The upcoming NBA season holds the potential for something extraordinarily special. The possibility of LeBron and Bronny James donning the same team colors on the hardwood not only adds a gripping narrative to the sport but also sets up an inspirational chapter in the broader story of familial legacies in athletics. This milestone, should it come to pass, will not only expand the boundaries of what we consider extraordinary in sports but will also deeply resonate with fans worldwide who appreciate the confluence of talent, dedication, and family.