Progenies of NBA Players

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 14, 2007

Progenies of NBA Players

Ralph Sampson and Ralph Sampson

Ralph Sampson think you're alone? Your father might have survived the SI cover curse, making three All-Star game appearances after starring at Virginia, but you're not alone in the footsteps you have to fill.

Jeffrey and Michael Jordan

No one thinks he'll be close to MJ, but the mini-Jordan might be ok with that. After an exhibition tour of Canada where Jeffrey scored seven points in 15 minutes of playing time against Concordia, Illini coach Bruce Weber told the Montreal Gazette "He'll get a lot of attention early. But as it goes on, I think it will settle down. He's a very level-headed kid."

Kristin and Bill Cartwright

During her freshman year at Northwestern, Kristen told the school newspaper that when she didn't listen to her father, Bill (a former NBA player and current Nets assistant), about her shot selection, Vince Carter called her cell phone and left a message about it.

Patrick Ewing Jr. and Patrick Ewing

Just like his father, who played for a Thompson at Georgetown, Ewing Jr. is playing for a Thompson too with the Hoyas. Patrick Jr. transferred from Indiana after his sophomore year.

Wes Matthews and Wes Matthews

Just in case being the son of a 9-year NBA vet didn't give him athletic genes, Wes Matthews comes from a track star of a mother too. His 12.6 ppg last season didn't resemble his father's shooting form at all -- the older Matthews, who scored 3,654 points in his NBA career, shot the ball with no rotation.

Jeremiah and Doc Rivers

Jeremiah can turn to his dad, the Celtics coach, whenever Thompson III doesn't give him enough pointers. The sophomore guard played sparingly his freshman year at Georgetown.

Bryce and Brian Taylor

A second-round draft pick out of Princeton in 1972 and nine-year pro player, Brian coached his son in AAU. The advice paid off: His son is entering his senior year at Oregon, where he earned Pac-10 all-freshman honors.

Taurean and Sidney Green

Sidney was an All-American at UNLV before being the fifth pick in the 1983 draft. Taurean was the 52nd pick in this year's draft, but won two national championships during his college days at Florida.

TJ and Terry Cummings

Terry lasted three years at DePaul before jumping ship to the NBA, where he was Rookie of the Year. TJ wasn't so much for the early-exit and stayed at UCLA for four years.

Stephen and Dell Curry

Dell Curry became the first basketball player to have his jersey retired at Virginia Tech, after the '86 Hokies grad led his team to four postseason tournaments. Stephen is following his father's footsteps as a sharpshooter, leading Davidson to a conference championship last season.

Dan and Ernie Grunfeld

After averaging 18 ppg before tearing his ACL in February, Dan graduated from Stanford without a draft draw. Lucky for him, his father, a nine-year NBA vet and current president of the Washington Wizards, should be able to guide him in the right direction.

Luke and Bill Walton

Luke arrived at Arizona a year too late to get a national championship ring. Before going into the NBA, Bill played at UCLA, where he won three National Player of the Year awards.

Danny and Rudy Hackett

Rudy spent one year with the ABA, two years in the NBA and 15 playing in Europe. He passed the hoops genes to Daniel, who is now a junior at USC.

Kevin and Stan Love

Stan Love (not pictured) was the ninth pick in the 1971 NBA draft and was inducted into the Oregon Hall of Fame in 1994. His son, Kevin (pictured), was Rivals.com's top-ranked center of the class of 2007. He started his freshman year at UCLA this month.