Athletics: Dylan Harper, Offspring of Former Lakers Guard Ron Harper, Inducted into Crowded league of Second-Generation Players
Upgradin' the Ball Game:
Second-generation basketball pros are plentiful, and it's no secret why. Dad's height and athletic prowess can get passed down, and their paychecks can provide the same opportunities for their sons. Their determination can serve as a roadmap, too.
Riding High with the Draft:
The latest prodigy to join the NBA's roster is Dylan Harper, the second pick in this year's draft. His father, Ron Harper, is an NBA veteran who capped off a 15-year career with 5 championships under his belt. Dylan, a 6-foot-5 guard from Rutgers, was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. His brother, Ron Harper Jr., is also in the big leagues, having played in 11 games for the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors over the past three seasons.
Ballin' Where Dad Balled Before:
Nowadays, if a son follows in his father's footsteps and ascends to the highest level in the NBA, it's not a big surprise. The Harper boys are just the latest in a long line, going back to Minneapolis Lakers legend George Mikan's sons in the 1950s.
One of the most notable modern-day father-son duos is the Clippers Clan:
NBA Draft 2025:
The Clippers used the final pick of round one to select Yanic Konan Niederhauser from Penn State. With LeBron James and his son, Bronny, sharing the court in the Lakers' season opener last year, it's just one of many basketball families continuing the family tradition.
The trend of dads turning into ball-loving grandpas isn't limited to the Clippers. Other households connecting ball with bonding include the Larry Drews, the Patrick Ewings, the Rich Dumases, the Matt Guokases, the Tim Hardaways, the Gerald Hendersons, the Jaren Jacksons, the John Lucases, the Wes Matthewses, the Larry Nances, the Gary Paytons, the James Paxsons, the Scottie Pippins, Glen Rice, Glenn Robinson, the Wally Szczerbiaks, the Gary Trents, and the Duane Washingtons.
The Unbeaten Path:
And then, there are father-son combos who break new ground. The Currys come to mind:
- Dell Curry, a 16-year NBA veteran and $19.8 million earner, averaged 11.7 points. One son, Seth, is in his 11th season, averaging 10 points, with earnings of $45 million.
- Stephen Curry, a certain Hall of Famer, is a pure shooter with four NBA titles, 16 seasons, and $357.8 million banked.
- Klay Thompson, a teammate on all four Warriors championship teams, averages 19.1 points with earnings of $268.8 million.
The list of notable father-son duos in the NBA goes on, and the competition between them continues to raise the bar for the next generation. Dylan Harper is set to join this growing list as he embarks on his professional basketball journey.
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- Dylan Harper, the second pick in this year's NBA draft, hails from Los Angeles, just like his father Ron Harper, a former NBA veteran and five-time champion.
- In the future, the NBA Draft might witness another father-son duo when LeBron James' son, Bronny, is eligible to be drafted, much like the Clippers who have a history of father-son combinations, such as Yanic Konan Niederhauser.
- College basketball in Los Angeles has produced many talented players, with UCLA and the Los Angeles Lakers being historic institutions, but the growing list of NBA father-son duos is also a testament to the city's basketball legacy.
- Hollywood's influence extends beyond the movie screen, as even sports teams like the Los Angeles Clippers have not been immune to the appeal of creating family legacies, with the Clippers clan being a prime example.
- The NBA landscape is not only about competition on the court but also about lineage, as dynasties like the Currys continue to excel in the league, with Stephen Curry, Seth Curry, and Klay Thompson making their mark and earning substantial sums of money in the process.
