Four NBA Players Whose Dads Also Played Professional Basketball

It’s often cute for people to say that young children will eventually grow up to be like their parents. At a young age, kids are always hanging around their parents, wanting to soak up every moment. However, it rarely happens where a child excels in the same profession as their mother or father.

Having good genes can help in the athletic realm however, and it’s possible that certain current NBA players got a head start on their basketball futures early on.

We’ll take a look at four players whose dads also played in the NBA.

Stephen Curry

It may be hard to believe this now, but Stephen Curry was once primarily identified as Dell Curry’s son. There may be offspring of current NBA players who one day might achieve great things, and Curry serves as a role model for those who want to be just like their dads, and more.

Stephen Curry would spend time on the floor before, during and after Charlotte Hornets games, the team that Dell played with for 10 seasons. Young Stephen would throw his full body weight into shots that children wouldn’t dream of taking on a regulation sized NBA hoop. 

Dell Curry was known as one of the best sharpshooters in the league throughout his 16 year career, but his son has completely changed the sport as we know it. The elder Curry knocked down 1,245 three pointers during his time in the NBA. Stephen Curry has made the most three-point shots of all time, amassing over 3,300 and counting. 

Klay Thompson

Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Mychal Thompson couldn’t have gotten luckier at the genetic jackpot slots if he tried. Luckily, he had three sons who all played professional sports. Trayce Thompson is an outfielder in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Mychel Thompson suited up for a few NBA games in the 2011-2012 NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

His most famous son, Klay Thompson, is a future Hall of Fame shooting guard with the Golden State Warriors. Thompson’s confidence, ability to shoot from long distance, and defend the perimeter have been major reasons why the Warriors have won four championships. He’s also as tough as nails, having come back from major leg injuries.

Mychal Thompson is no stranger to winning himself. He captured two NBA championships with the Lakers in the 1980’s, as an important role player on those title teams. 

Domantas Sabonis

One of the greatest what-if’s in NBA history involves former Portland Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis. He was internationally known as one of the most skilled players in the world, but did not take his talents to the NBA until he was 31 years-old. At that time, injuries and mileage had sapped him of much of his athleticism.

Luckily for the basketball world, fans get to see a Sabonis who is doing some impressive things from the very start of his basketball journey. Arvydas’ son, Domantas Sabonis has already been named to the All-Star team three times in his seven year career, and is an automatic double-double when it comes to rebounding and scoring statistics. He’s been front and center during a resurgent campaign for the Kings.

It turns out that the younger Sabonis also inherited his father’s passing skills. Arvydas was known as one of the greatest passing big men of all time, as he set up teammates in a way that guards were known for. Domantas Sabonis is cut from the same cloth, and his unselfishness has allowed him to be an enjoyable teammate to play with. 

Cole Anthony

Another current NBA player who grew up around the league is Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony. He is the son of former New York Knicks guard Greg Anthony. Cole Anthony was extremely emotional after he got drafted into the NBA, since he understood just how hard he had to work to get to that level. 

Greg Anthony also played for other teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, Vancouver Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls, among others, during his 11-year career. He was best remembered for his time with the Knicks, who were one of the best teams in the NBA when Anthony came into the league. Greg Anthony also had a very notable career as a college basketball player with the UNLV Running Rebels. 

Cole Anthony’s career is off to a solid start. He’s had varying roles thus far in his three years with the Magic, but it seems like his ability to score the ball will be a skill that keeps him in the league for a long time. It’ll be interesting to see if Orlando tries to extend his contract, or if he gets moved to a team that is closer to winning than the rebuilding Magic. 

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