Being the kid of an NBA legend comes with perks—and plenty of pressure. From household names like Bronny James to others grinding in the G-League, these second-generation players are blending their family legacy with their own ambitions.

Whether they're showing flashes of greatness or still finding their footing, these sons of stars are proving that making it in professional basketball is no easy task, even with the last name.

Bronny James

Bronny James is just getting started in the pros, balancing time between the Lakers and their G-League squad, the South Bay Lakers. Being the son of LeBron James means the spotlight is always on him, but his first year is all about figuring things out and developing his game.

So far in the NBA, Bronny has suited up for six games but hasn’t had much of a chance to shine. He’s playing just 2.7 minutes a night, averaging 0.7 points, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.3 assists. His shooting? Not great—16.7% from the field, and he’s yet to hit a three. It’s been a slow start, but that’s pretty normal for a second-round rookie.

In the G-League, where he’s getting more run, things are a bit better. Over two games, Bronny is putting up 5.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in about 28 minutes per game. The downside? He’s only shooting 21.1% from the field and hasn’t hit any of his six three-point attempts yet. His debut was a mixed bag—6 points, 4 assists, 3 boards, 2 steals, and 5 turnovers. Not perfect, but you can see the potential.

The Lakers are trying to balance his development, letting him play at South Bay’s home games and stick with the main squad during road trips. Not everyone’s a fan of this plan—Charles Barkley even called it “a bad look”—but the franchise seems committed to taking their time with him.

Bronny’s numbers won’t blow anyone away right now, but it’s early. He’s still adjusting to the pro level and figuring out how to handle the weight of his last name. Give it some time, and we’ll see where this journey takes him.

Ron Harper Jr.

Ron Harper Jr. has been grinding in the G-League this season, suiting up for the Maine Celtics. In six games, he’s averaging 9.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 23.4 minutes per game. His shooting splits are respectable: 44.7% from the field, 33.3% from three, and a perfect 100% from the free-throw line. While these numbers won’t blow anyone away, they show he’s carving out a solid role as a versatile wing.

Harper Jr. went undrafted in 2022 out of Rutgers but quickly earned a spot with the Raptors’ G-League affiliate. Known for his basketball IQ and ability to impact games without dominating the ball, he’s followed a path similar to many second-generation players trying to make it in the NBA. While he hasn’t cracked an NBA rotation yet, he’s proving in Maine that he can be a reliable two-way contributor.

Son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, Jr. brings a different style than his father. While Sr. was known for his defense and ability to play both guard spots, Jr. has leaned more into a combo forward role, focusing on scoring and floor spacing. The name Harper carries weight in basketball circles, and Jr. has shown the work ethic to live up to the legacy.

For now, Harper Jr.’s status remains in the G-League, where he’ll continue to refine his game and look for a call-up opportunity. With the Maine Celtics, he’s showing flashes of being a capable 3-and-D player, but he’ll need to keep improving to earn a shot at consistent minutes in the NBA.

DJ Rodman

DJ Rodman has had quite the journey trying to make his name in professional basketball. The son of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, DJ went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft and joined the Clippers for Summer League. After that, he signed with the Capital City Go-Go, the G League affiliate of the Wizards, on October 26, 2024. Unfortunately, his time there was short-lived as the team waived him on November 25, leaving him once again looking for his next opportunity.

Before turning pro, DJ had a solid college career. He started at Washington State, where he averaged 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds during his sophomore year, even though injuries sidelined him for eight games. For his final season, Rodman transferred to USC and became a key contributor for the Trojans. He had some standout moments, including dropping a career-high 23 points in the NIT against Eastern Washington and grabbing a personal-best 14 rebounds in a game against Boise State.

DJ isn’t trying to be his dad on the court, but you can see some similarities in his game—gritty, versatile, and ready to do the dirty work. While Dennis was known for his defense and rebounding, DJ’s shown flashes as a scorer and a reliable role player. His time in the G League might not have worked out this time, but he’s shown enough skill and work ethic to suggest he’s not done chasing his NBA dream.

Getting waived by the Go-Go is just another bump in the road for Rodman, but if his college days showed anything, it’s that he knows how to bounce back. Whether it’s in another G League stint, overseas, or wherever basketball takes him, DJ Rodman’s story is far from over.

David Stockton

David Stockton has been grinding in the G League world for a decade now, and while his path hasn’t taken him to NBA stardom like his dad, John Stockton, he’s built a respectable career in the G League and beyond. Currently playing for the Valley Suns, Stockton is putting up some impressive numbers this season, averaging 15.2 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.2 rebounds per game. He’s proving he can still ball out, running the offense and showing off his playmaking skills night after night.

Since going undrafted in 2014, Stockton has become the definition of a journeyman. He’s bounced between G League teams, had brief stints in the NBA (six total games with the Kings and Jazz), and even played overseas in places like Germany and Puerto Rico. The guy has been everywhere, doing whatever it takes to keep his basketball dream alive. This year, he briefly signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Suns but was waived before the season started. Still, he landed on the Suns’ G League affiliate, where he’s putting in work and keeping his name in the conversation.

The comparisons to his dad are inevitable—John Stockton is one of the greatest point guards of all time, after all. But David isn’t trying to live up to that; he’s carved out his own path. While he doesn’t have his dad’s legendary court vision (because, let’s be real, who does?), David’s playmaking and leadership have kept him relevant in the G League for years.

At 33 years old, Stockton might not be angling for another NBA shot, but his experience and steady production make him invaluable to the Valley Suns. He’s the guy you want leading your young players and keeping the offense in check. Whether he’s dishing out dimes or hitting clutch buckets, Stockton is still showing he’s got plenty left in the tank. For a guy who’s spent a decade grinding, he deserves all the respect in the world.

Jett Howard

Jett Howard, son of former NBA All-Star and current Michigan coach Juwan Howard, is carving out his own path in the league. After spending last season in the G League, Jett has worked his way onto the Magic’s roster this year, appearing in 21 games so far. While his numbers—4.0 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game—might not jump off the page, they only tell part of the story.

Howard is a smooth and confident shooter, which has been his calling card since his college days at Michigan. In limited opportunities, he’s shown flashes of being a reliable perimeter threat, something every NBA team craves. His ability to space the floor and knock down shots has helped him stick on a competitive Magic team loaded with young talent.

The jump from the G League to the NBA hasn’t been easy, but Howard’s work ethic and pedigree are apparent. His time in the G League allowed him to adjust to the pace and physicality of pro basketball, and he’s steadily earning the trust of his coaching staff in Orlando.

While he’s still finding his rhythm at the highest level, there’s no doubt that Howard has the tools to be a solid role player. If he can build on his sharpshooting and continue to develop other aspects of his game, he has the potential to carve out a long NBA career, just like his dad.

RJ Nembhard

RJ Nembhard Jr. is quietly making noise in the G League, showing off his all-around game with the Capital City Go-Go. The 6'4" guard is stuffing the stat sheet this season, averaging 18.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He’s proving to be one of those players who can do a little bit of everything—and do it well.

Basketball runs in the family for Nembhard. His dad, Ruben Nembhard, had his own pro career, playing internationally and even making brief appearances in the NBA during the late ‘90s. Clearly, some of that hoop talent was passed down because RJ has the kind of versatility teams are always looking for.

Undrafted out of TCU in 2021, RJ has been on a grind to make a name for himself. He’s not just a scorer—his rebounding and playmaking stand out, too, which is why he’s posting a solid 15.4 PIE (Player Impact Estimate) this season. Those numbers scream "ready for the next step," even if he hasn’t locked down an NBA spot just yet.

It’s only a matter of time before Nembhard gets another shot at the league. With his size, skill set, and work ethic, he’s a plug-and-play guard who could help any team needing depth. Keep an eye on him—he’s got the tools to turn heads.

Justise Winslow

Justise Winslow’s career has been a rollercoaster, but the guy is still grinding. Now with the Wisconsin Herd in the G League, he’s putting up 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. It’s a reminder that the talent is still there, even if his journey hasn’t gone as planned.

Back in 2015, Winslow was the 10th pick in the draft, and his two-way potential had people hyped. He was locking down opponents and doing all the little things for the Heat early in his career. But injuries? They had other plans. After bouncing around with the Grizzlies, Clippers, and Trail Blazers, he struggled to stay healthy and find a consistent role. Now, he’s using the G League to show teams he’s still got it.

For Winslow, basketball is in the blood. His dad, Rickie Winslow, was a key player for the legendary "Phi Slama Jama" squad at Houston, running with legends like Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon. Rickie went on to play overseas, and it’s clear Justise picked up a few things from him.

At 28, Winslow isn’t done. He’s still got the versatility and experience to help a team, whether it’s in the NBA or as a veteran leader somewhere else. The numbers he’s putting up with the Herd prove he can still contribute, and who knows? Maybe he gets another shot to remind everyone why he was such a big deal coming into the league.

Reed Sheppard

Reed Sheppard’s rookie season with the Rockets has been pretty quiet so far. Through 21 games, he’s putting up just 3.7 points, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 rebounds while playing under 12 minutes per game. It’s been tough for the rookie to find his rhythm with such limited opportunities, and the idea of a G League stint has been floating around since before the season started. Coach Ime Udoka even hinted it might be in the cards, though it hasn’t happened just yet.

Sending Sheppard to the G League might be the best move for his development. He’d get the chance to log heavy minutes, work on his ball-handling, and build confidence in a way that’s tough to do when you’re only getting spot minutes at the NBA level. It’s clear he has potential, especially as a passer and shooter, but right now, he’s stuck in a small role that doesn’t allow him to shine.

Reed’s basketball roots run deep. His dad, Jeff Sheppard, was a standout at Kentucky, helping the Wildcats win two NCAA championships in the late ‘90s. Jeff was known for his hustle, clutch play, and all-around contributions—traits Reed is hoping to bring to the Rockets once he’s fully developed.

For now, it’s all about patience. Whether he stays with the Rockets or gets some run in the G League, Sheppard has the talent to make an impact down the line. It’s just about finding the right situation to unlock it.

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