15 Supertalented College Players Who Are Sons Of NBA Players

• DJ Wagner is the only projected lottery pick from this entire list

• Trayce Jackson-Davis, son of Dale Davis was drafted and signed by the Golden State Warriors in 2023

• Only one current NCAA player has an NBA father who is a former MVP, champion, and Finals MVP

One of the most beautiful things about the game of basketball is the fact that it can become something that brings families together. Whether it is your average family just shooting around in the driveway or NBA legends passing their skills down to their children, basketball has always been something for families to bond over. Throughout history, there have been plenty of NBA fathers whose sons have gone on to compete at the college level and beyond, and that trend has continued on feverishly in 2023-24. 

Much like the legendary father-son duos such as Stephen Curry/Dell Curry, Joe Bryant/Kobe Bryant, and Mychal Thompson/Klay Thompson, there are a number of former NBA stars’ sons who are looking to advance to the NBA level in the near future. Of course, this list of players is headlined by the likes of Bronny James and DJ Rodman, who will be teammates at USC this upcoming season and are both sons of NBA stars LeBron James and Dennis Rodman.

There are also a number of other NBA stars whose children are making a name for themselves and have somewhat flown under the radar. That is, until now. The 15 NCAA players below have big shoes to fill when it comes to their fathers’ legacies but are also focusing on their own journey as it pertains to the game of basketball and how far they wish to take their careers.

These are 15 current NCAA players whose fathers played in the NBA.

15. DJ Rodman

Father: Dennis Rodman

Shortly after James committed to USC, the school got another commitment via transfer from an NBA legacy, DJ Rodman, son of Dennis giving the school overwhelming excitement heading into the next season. Rodman stands at 6’6’’ and weighs 215 pounds, playing the small forward position in college.

Rodman spent the 2020 through 2022 seasons with the Washington State Cougars where he made 12 starts and appeared in 80 games overall. During this time, Rodman averaged just 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Cougars. In 2022-23, he received a significant minutes increase and averaged 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 41.0% from the field. Rodman will add some solid depth to an absolutely stacked USC team heading into the 2023-24 season.

14. Andrej Stojakovic

Father: Peja Stojakovic

Andrej Stojakovic is the son of former sharpshooting NBA legend Peja Stojakovic who played 13 seasons in the NBA for the Kings, Hornets, Pacers, Raptors, and Mavericks. By all accounts, it seems Andrej has inherited the shooting gene from his father and has committed to play for Stanford for his college career.

As a junior at Jesuit High School in Sacramento, California, Stojakovic averaged 25.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. For his efforts, he was named a McDonald’s All-American and verbally committed to Stanford in November 2022. As a senior at Jesuit, Stojakovic averaged 24.1 points per game on 49.0% shooting which led to his All-American selection.

13. DJ Wagner

Father: Dajuan Wagner

Unless you are the purest of NBA fans, the name Dajuan Wagner may not ring any bells off the bat. Wagner played just four seasons in the NBA, the first three coming as LeBron James’ fellow draft class member and teammate with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2004 through 2006. Wagner’s son, DJ, has been one of the best high school prospects in the country over the last three years since his sophomore season, committing to Kentucky shortly after the conclusion of his senior year.

During his high school days at Camden High in New Jersey, Wagner was a two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year who led his team to an overall record of 94-5 over those four years. He joins grandfather Milt and father Dajuan as 2,000-point scorers for the school and looks to become the third generation of his family to make the NBA.

Wagner will play his college ball for coach John Calipari at the University of Kentucky finishing his high school career as the No. 4 recruit in the country. He is a proven versatile scorer from the point guard position and will look to help Kentucky return to prominence as a powerhouse college threat.

12. Mason Miller

Father: Mike Miller

It wasn’t so long ago that Mike Miller was breaking the backs of NBA opponents over the course of his 17-year career as a sharpshooting three-point specialist. Miller is a former Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year as well as a two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013.

Mike’s son Mason has a shooting form that mirrors his father’s and earned him an opportunity to play at Creighton University. In 2022-23, Miller completed his freshman season, which saw him play just 9.0 minutes per game. Although he has to earn his minutes just like everyone else, Miller averaged 2.3 points and 1.6 rebounds per game this last season on 37.5% shooting from three.

Miller is expected to have a much bigger role in 2023-24 with Creighton and will continue to earn more playing time as he continues to develop his game. If his career turns out to be anything like his father’s, Mason’s breakout season is coming, and the whole world needs to be on the lookout.

11. Jameer Nelson Jr.

Father: Jameer Nelson

2000s basketball fans will vividly remember Jameer Nelson for his college days with St. Josephs and his NBA days with the Orlando Magic. Nelson helped lead St. Josephs to an undefeated regular season in his senior year and later helped take the Magic to the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009. In the case of his son Jamerr Nelson Jr., it seems the apple has not fallen too far from the tree.

In 2021, Nelson Jr. transferred from George Washington to Delaware of the Colonial Athletic Association, where he has become one of the top players in the conference. In two years at Delaware, he has earned two All-CAA selections as well as one CAA All-Defense selection. In 2022-23, he averaged 20.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game to help his team earn a 17-16 record.

With his year at Delaware in the books, Nelson Jr. announced yet another transfer where he will be attending TCU this fall. With his graduation occurring this summer, Nelson Jr. will be eligible to return to play this fall thanks to the graduate transfer guidelines.

10. Jamal Mashburn Jr.

Father: Jamal Mashburn

During his 11-year NBA career for the Hornets, Mavericks, and Heat, Jamal Mashburn was a one-time All-Star and All-NBA Team selection. Over the course of his career, Mashburn averaged 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. His son, Jamal Mashburn Jr., is seeking to follow in his dad’s footsteps to the NBA. Their situation runs a bit deeper than just the game of basketball.

In college at Kentucky, Mashburn Sr. played for legendary coach Rick Pitino. After one year at Minnesota, Mashburn Jr. transferred to New Mexico where for the last two years, he has played for Rick’s son Richard Pitino. Since arriving at New Mexico, Mashburn Jr.’s game has reached a new level, averaging over 18.0 points per game each year and earning two selections to the All-Mountain West Conference Team.

After a disastrous performance in the NIT first round, Mashburn Jr. will return to New Mexico this fall as a senior looking to improve his draft stock for 2024. Much like his dad, Mashburn Jr. is resilient and is looking forward to making an even bigger name for himself on the court this season.

9. Ashton Hardaway

Father: Penny Hardaway

Penny Hardaway is one of those names in NBA history that we look back on fondly from time to time. Hardaway was one of the game’s most exciting players during the 1990s, alongside Shaquille O’Neal with the Orlando Magic. He is a former four-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA Team selection whose career was cut short and limited due to recurrent ankle injuries stemming from his college days.

Now, Penny is the Head Coach of the Memphis Tigers where his son Ashton will join him for the 2023-24 season. As a 6’4’’ power forward, Ashton is truly a modernized weapon that can stretch the floor from all angles. He has inherited his father’s skills as a playmaker but is turning out to be a much more efficient shooter at times.

As we have seen, playing for Penny Hardaway is no easy task as the elder Hardaway has proven to be tough on his players and relentless on the sidelines during games. Now, only imagine if that was your dad and how much more elevated things would get in that regard. Regardless, Ashton should see playing time right away and make an immediate impact on a Memphis team searching for their next great frontcourt player.

8. Jabri-Abdur-Rahim

Father: Shareef Abdur-Rahim

Shareef Abdur-Rahim was a 12-year veteran of the NBA with the Vancouver Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Sacramento Kings. He would earn one All-Star appearance in those 12 seasons and now serves as President of the NBA’s G League. Abdur-Rahim was athletic and talented before injuries began to pile up and cut his NBA career short.

Coming through the college ranks at this time is Shareef’s son Jabri, who has played with both the University of Virginia and the University of Georgia so far in his NBA career. After an awkward freshman season that saw him split time between the two schools, Jabri bounced back in 2022-23.

Now with Georgia, Abdur-Rahim saw 18.7 minutes per game of action last season and averaged 7.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. Although his game has yet to match the level of his father, the 2023-24 season should prove to be more fruitful for him as he earns more playing time with an experienced Georgia squad.

7. Larry Hughes Jr.

Father: Larry Hughes

Many probably remember Larry Hughes from his days during the 2000s with both the Cavaliers and Washington Wizards, forming electric backcourts with the likes of LeBron James and Gilbert Arenas. Hughes played 14 seasons with eight different teams, earning one steals title and one All-Defensive Team selection along the way.

It seems the apple did not fall too far from the tree for Larry Hughes Jr., a player heading into his junior years with the Saint Louis Billikens. Hughes Jr. was limited in the time he saw on the court in 2022-23, playing 27 games and seeing just 8.7 minutes per game. He averaged just 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds per game during that time but will be looking for a much bigger role in 2023-24. He certainly will need to find more time on the court if he stands to follow his dad’s footsteps into the NBA.

6. Bobby Hurley Jr.

Father: Bobby Hurley

Bobby Hurley is one of the greatest point guards in NCAA history for the time he spent with the Duke Blue Devils in the 1990s. Hurley won two NCAA titles with Duke and went on to play just five seasons in the NBA. A car crash coming out of college severely limited Hurley on the court and forced him to end his NBA career way before it started.

Now, Hurley gets the dubious honor of coaching his own sin at Arizona State where he has given Bobby Jr. no easy path. Through the first two years of his college career, Hurley Jr. has played just 12 games and less than 2.0 minutes per game. Dad seems to be giving his son a very tough lesson in what to expect if he wishes to take his game to the next level.

Although he has yet to really make an impression with Arizona State, there has to be some breakthrough time for Hurley Jr. coming during his junior season. I mean, dad cannot be that strict on his own son can he? Yes, he can. If you watched Hurley play and know his legacy, then you know he will make Bobby Jr. earn every minute he gets with zero special treatment.

5. Jace Howard

Father: Juwan Howard

Juwan Howard is one of the curious members of this list. Howard is known for having one of the worst contracts ever given out in NBA history after spending his time as a member of the Fab 5 at the University of Michigan in the 1990s. Howard just finished coaching two sons at the University of Michigan for one season as both Jace and Jett played in 2022-23 and helped Michigan earn 18 wins.

Jett is clearly the more talented prospect of the two, as he set the Big Ten ablaze during his freshman season last year. After a promising season in 2022-23, Jett Howard would declare for the 2023 NBA Draft, where he was selected 11th overall by the Orlando Magic. Howard is expected to be a welcomed addition to an Orlando team that is bursting at the seams with young talent throughout their roster. 

Jace, however, will be heading into his senior season looking to earn more playing time from his father. Over the course of his career at Michigan so far, Jace Howard has yet to eclipse 7.8 minutes per game or average more than 1.8 points per game in a season. Howard will have to battle for playing time this year on a loaded Michigan roster and it is clear that his dad is giving no easy handouts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDQKY5WucIw

4. Ryan Mutombo

Father: Dikembe Mutombo

Dikembe Mutombo is one of the biggest father names on this list, both in a literal and figurative sense. After playing his college days at Georgetown University, Mutombo would go on to the NBA, where he became one of the greatest defenders in NBA history. Mutombo was the winner of four Defensive Player of the Year awards during his 18-year career, as well as earned eight All-Star selections, three All-NBA Team selections, and six All-Defensive Team selections.

Dikembe’s son Ryan is a spitting image of his father as far as physical stature goes, standing 7’2’’ tall and weighing 252 pounds. Unfortunately, his game has not mirrored his dad’s on the court through his first two years at Georgetown in 2022 and 2023. After a promising freshman season with 27 games played, averaging 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, the younger Mutombo had a streaky season in 2023.

He would average just 2.5 points per game this time around while playing just 12 games in total. Although his sophomore season did not go to plan, Mutombo still shows a tremendous amount of upside, especially as a defensive player. He may never make it to the NBA like his father once did but Ryan Mutombo has already mirrored his dad’s career path in so many ways that it would not be a surprise to see him turn it around and make it to the NBA one day.

3. Jaelen House

Father: Eddie House

Eddie House is not a household name to many unless you were an avid fan of the 2008 Boston Celtics. House spent three of his 11 seasons in Boston, where his precise three-point shooting helped Boston win the NBA championship in 2008. Now, Eddie’s son Jaelen has begun to follow in his father’s footsteps at the NCAA level.

Jaelen House spent the first two seasons of his NCAA career with Arizona State before transferring to New Mexico in 2021. Over the last two years with the team, House has averaged 16.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. He has earned two selections to the All-Mountain West Conference Team in that time as well as a selection to the All-Mountain West Defensive Team.

After declaring for the NBA Draft last season, House decided to withdraw his name and will return for one more year in New Mexico. This should excite fans who are eager to build on a promising 2022-23 year that saw them earn a 22-12 record and are returning both Houses as well as Jamal Mashburn Jr.

2. Bronny James

Father: LeBron James

The most famous and well-known name to head into the college ranks this season is Bronny James, son of LeBron James, who will play his college basketball at USC. Currently, the focus of Bronny and the entire James family is not on basketball but rather Bronny’s health after he suffered a cardiac arrest last month while training with his new team. The arrest was linked to a congenital heart defect, which has caused many to believe he will be able to continue his basketball journey at some point.

This is good news for USC and for James as well, considering he was projected to be a top-20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. James spent his high school days at Sierra Canyon where as a senior, he averaged 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.

James is a hyper-athletic player on the court, much like his father, who has become a sharpshooting guard equipped with lockdown defense. James averaged 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game in the Nike EYBL as well and is likely to be a first-round draft pick whenever he can return to the court.

1. Trayce Jackson-Davis

Father: Dale Davis

Trayce Jackson-Davis is one of the most talented players on our list. His father, Dale, was a former All-Star who played 16 seasons in the NBA, most notably with the Indiana Pacers from 1992 through 2000. Jackson-Davis enjoyed a solid four years at Indiana where he earned four All-Big Ten selections as well as two All-Big Ten Defensive Team selections and Consensus All-American honors.

In his four seasons at Indiana, Jackson-Davis averaged 17.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, along with 2.9 blocks per game. He is truly a beast on the interior, just like his dad was with Indiana for most of his career.

In this past year’s NBA Draft in 2023, Jackson-Davis was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the 57th overall pick. Jackson-Davis would enjoy a solid Summer League with Golden State that saw him log 18 points and 10 rebounds in its finale in June. At the end of Summer League, Jackson-Davis signed a four-year deal with the Warriors, who guaranteed his first two years, making him the only player on our list certain to follow their father’s career path into the NBA.

Future College Stars With NBA Lineage

Along with some of the current NCAA stars who had fathers spend some time in the NBA, there are also some promising high school talents who are surely on their way to playing at the next level. The first of these players is Cameron Boozer, who is the son of former Bulls, Cavaliers, and Jazz forward Carlos Boozer. Cameron is the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2025 and is currently weighing his options as to where he will play next.

The other one of these future NCAA stars is the son of future Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony. Kyan Anthony is currently the 52nd-ranked recruit for the Class of 2025 and is definitely earning his way up the list further as time goes on. Two more years of high school are likely to boost Anthony’s standing among recruits as he weighs offers from schools such as Stanford, Memphis, and George Mason. 

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