,

Black Athletes Whose Children Followed in Their Footsteps

LeBron James, Deion Sanders, and Tiger Woods are some of the notable Black athletes with children who also pursued a career in sports.

With the NBA in full swing, one of the most discussed topics this year is Bronny James. Whether he makes a simple bounce pass or has a great reaction to a play on the court, Bronny’s relationship with his father LeBron James is constantly being discussed in sports circles.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

With that in mind, we look at all the athletes who have followed in their parent’s footsteps, whether that is on the court, field, or boxing ring.

Deion, Shilo & Shedeaur Sanders

Photo: Getty Images Tom Cooper/Getty Images for Prime Video

Wehad to include this trio because they are all connected. Deion Sanders currently coaches his sons Shedeaur and Silo at the University of Colorado. While their 2023 season did not end well, Sanders’ two sons were some of the highlights of an otherwise disappointing season for the Buffaloes.

Tiger & Charlie Woods

Photo: Getty Images Sam Greenwood

Charlie still has a ways to go if he wants to be as successful as his father on the PGA Tour, but he’s on the path. He’s shown promise on the green and even has displayed some similar mannerisms as his father.

Ken Griffey & Ken Griffey Jr.

Photo: Getty Images Focus on Sport

Not only did “The Kid” become a Major League player like his father, but the two also played with each other on the same team between 1989 and 1991.

LeBron & Bronny James

Photo: Getty Images Harry How

These two may be the most popular on the list. LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes of all time, which has caused some to put some lofty expectations on Bronny’s career. He’s currently played alongside his father on the Los Angeles Lakers, but the two haven’t managed to get much on the court together.

Muhammad & Laila Ali

Photo: Getty Images Ed Mulholland/WireImage

The first father-daughter duo on the list! We all know Muhammad Ali is one of the most influential athletes of all time, but Laila was pretty great in her own right, winning all 24 of her bouts (with 21 by KO).

Joe & Kobe Bryant

Photo: Getty Images John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated

Joe Byrant was a solid NBA player who played eight seasons with the Sixers, Clippers, and Rockets. We all know how Kobe Byrant’s career went: one of the best to ever do it.

Bobby & Barry Bonds

Photo: Getty Images V.J. Lovero/Sports Illustrated

They didn’t play together, but they both did play for the same team — the San Francisco Giants. Bobby was a good Major League player who made three all-star teams throughout his career. Barry, on the other hand, became the greatest (and most controversial) hitter in baseball history.

Marvin Harrison & Marvin Harrison Jr.

Photo: Getty Images Brian Killian/NFLPhotoLibrary // Rich Schultz

Marvin Harrison was one of the most consistent receivers in the NFL during his 13-year career. His son may be better — he’s stronger, faster, bigger, and more athletic. Junior is currently the star received for the Arizona Cardinals.

Dell & Steph Curry

Photo: Getty Images Al Bello

I guess shooting runs in the family, huh? Dell was a good shooter, but his oldest son became the greatest of all time. Dell’s second son, Seth, is also a pretty good sniper in his own right.

Calvin & Grant Hill

Photo: Getty Images Focus on Sport

Grant Hill had a dream upbringing. Calvin Hill is a Super Bowl Champion running back who was named to the Pro Bowl four times during his 13-year NFL career. This isn’t sports-related, but his mother, Janet Hill, was roommates with Hillary Clinton at Wellesley College. That greatness passed on to him as he was once considered to be the “air apparent” to Michael Jordan before injuries derailed his NBA career.

Mychal & Klay Thompson

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register

Mychal Thomspon has produced more than one athletic son in multiple sports. He was the first overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft and won two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. His oldest son, Mychel, had a short stint in the NBA. His second son, Klay, is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. His youngest, Trayce, was last an outfielder for the New York Mets.

Yannick & Joakim Noah

Photo: Getty Images Steve Powell/Allsport // Jared Wickerham

Another father-son duo who pursued careers in different sports. Yannick Noah is a former Tennis player who won the French Open in 1983 and was once ranked the third-best player in the world. His son, Joakim, was an incredible college player who had a good NBA career with the Chicago Bulls.

Jerry & Brenden Rice

Photo: Getty Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea

Jerry Rice’s legacy is cemented. He’s the greatest wide receiver of all time. His son, who was recently drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 NFL Draft, still has a way to go but showed some promise at USC last season.

Doc & Austin Rivers

Photo: Getty Images Andy Lyons

Not only did they both have solid NBA careers. But Doc also coached his son for a time with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Cecil & Prince Fielder

Photo: Getty Images Sporting News // George Gojkovich

Fun fact: Cecil Fielder and his son, Prince Fielder, have the same number of career home runs: 319.

Jimmy Walker & Jalen Rose

Photo: Getty Images Mitchell Layton // George Long /Sports Illustrated

Jalen Rose has openly talked about how he had no relationship with his father. But whether he knows it or not, his basketball skills may have come from his dad, who was the first overall pick in the 1967 NBA Draft.

Patrick Mahomes & Patrick Mahomes II

Photo: Getty Images Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire

You can thank Patrick Mahomes (the dad), for Patrick Mahomes II’s crazy arm angles. Junior initially took after his father, who was a Major League pitcher for the Mets, Red Sox, Rangers, and Cubs throughout his 11-year MLB career.

Dennis & Trinity Rodman

Photo: Getty Images Tony Quinn/ISI Photos

Dennis Rodman was a vicious defender and rebounder who won five NBA championships. His daughter, Trinity, became the highest-paid player in NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League ) history after she signed a $1.1 million contract with the Washington Spirit.

Tim Hardaway & Tim Hardaway Jr.

Photo: Getty Images Steven Ryan

Tim Hardaway Sr. was a star guard in the NBA for more than 13 years. He was so good at his job that he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. While not as talented as his father, Junior has had a solid career playing with the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and Dallas Mavericks.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Steve Harvey's Gorgeous $15 Million Once Owned by Tyler Perry

Steve Harvey’s Gorgeous $15 Million Once Owned by Tyler Perry

With a 70,000 gallon infinity pool to a home theater and wine cellar, Steve Harvey's mansion is one of the most expensive properties in Atlanta, Ga ...
The Best, Black TV Shows, Movies to Stream on AppleTV+

The Best, Black TV Shows, Movies to Stream on AppleTV+

From Brian Tyree Henry getting down and dirty to David Oyelowo searching for a fresh start: we've got what you need to watch! ...

How Tyler Perry's Name Was Dropped in Yet Another Sexual Misconduct Claim By One of His Actors

How Tyler Perry’s Name Was Dropped in Yet Another Sexual Misconduct Claim By One of His Actors

Braxton Wells accused the studios' senior vice president of scripted programming of grooming and rape...but that's not all ...
Why Calling For Beyoncé To Retire Because She's 'Old' Is Misogynistic and Ridiculous

Why Calling For Beyoncé To Retire Because She’s ‘Old’ Is Misogynistic and Ridiculous

Beyoncé is many things. But too old to perform is not one of them....especially in a musical market with many aging men ...
Is NeNe Leakes Plotting the Ultimate 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Comeback? Here's the Pipin' Hot Tea...

Is NeNe Leakes Plotting the Ultimate ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ Comeback? Here’s the Pipin’ Hot Tea…

The veteran peach-holder spoke about returning to the Atlanta reality show after leaving in 2020 ...
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Went Up Against 90 Homeland Security Soldiers, Here's What Happened Next

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Went Up Against 90 Homeland Security Soldiers, Here’s What Happened Next

As soon as footage of National Guard troops got back to Mayor Bass, she went down there to personally handle the situation ...
DeMarco Morgan Is Leaving 'GMA3' Anymore, and Here's Why We Should've Seen it Coming

DeMarco Morgan Is Leaving ‘GMA3’ Anymore, and Here’s Why We Should’ve Seen it Coming

While his departure may be upsetting to some fans, there may have been hints that his time on the show was winding down ...
Confederate Group Takes This Drastic Action to Shut Down a Georgia Park's Planned Slavery Exhibit

Confederate Group Takes This Drastic Action to Shut Down a Georgia Park’s Planned Slavery Exhibit

Stone Mountain Park is home of the biggest Confederate monument in America, and one group wants to keep it that way forever ...
Kidnapper Grabs Young Black Boy Before This Brazen Act of Courage Happened— And it Was All Caught on Video

Kidnapper Grabs Young Black Boy Before This Brazen Act of Courage Happened— And it Was All Caught on Video

Rah'Shem Gantt was enjoying a Coney Island outing with his family until things took a frightening turn ...
The Late Ananda Lewis' Son's Father, Who Shares a Special Connection to Will Smith, Just Shared a Touching Tribute

The Late Ananda Lewis’ Son’s Father, Who Shares a Special Connection to Will Smith, Just Shared a Touching Tribute

Harry Lewis, the father of Ananda Lewis' 14-year-old son Langston, called Lewis "the most attentive and loving mother" on Instagram ...
Tina Knowles Gives Halle Bailey Relationship Advice With Just This One Word

Tina Knowles Gives Halle Bailey Relationship Advice With Just This One Word

It's been said that the best way to get over someone is with someone else. And in case you haven't been paying attention, it looks like Halle Bailey is doing just that. Last week, we told you that photographers caught the singer-actress getting up close and personal with producer Scott ...
Hakeem Jeffries Goes Viral For Allegedly Photoshopping This Instagram Photo, But Did He Really...?

Hakeem Jeffries Goes Viral For Allegedly Photoshopping This Instagram Photo, But Did He Really…?

The House Minority Leader made headlines again following an epic speech against Trump's Big Beautiful Bill ...
OutKast's Big Boi Mourns The Death of His Uncle "Moonie" In Tragic Shooting

OutKast’s Big Boi Mourns The Death of His Uncle “Moonie” In Tragic Shooting

In a statement with WSB-TV, Big Boi shared how the death has affected his family: ...
All About Mel B's Stunning Lookalike Little Sister

All About Mel B’s Stunning Lookalike Little Sister

While there were a handful of famous faces in attendance, the main face that's slowly becoming the talk of the town is Mel B's little sister, Danielle Brown. And you've got to see why! ...
Tupac Associate Young Noble's Death Illuminates Alarming Fact About Suicide Rates Among Black Men

Tupac Associate Young Noble’s Death Illuminates Alarming Fact About Suicide Rates Among Black Men

On July 4, 2025, emcee Young Noble-- member of Outlawz and Tupac affiliate-- died of an apparent suicide ...
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Recent Dissent Proves She's Unafraid to Challenge Her Colleagues—Unlike Clarence Thomas

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Recent Dissent Proves She’s Unafraid to Challenge Her Colleagues—Unlike Clarence Thomas

Compared to Thomas, Jackson is a breath of fresh air. As one of the youngest members on the court, she often uses her platform to connect with all Americans ...
After Three Open-Heart Surgeries, This Black Father Discovered an Unusual Cure

After Three Open-Heart Surgeries, This Black Father Discovered an Unusual Cure

Donnie Seals, Sr. and his son, Eric share a transformational trip in a PBS documentary they hope will help other Black people ...
Tory Lanez's Dad Just Shared This Surprising Message About His Son's Prison Sentence

Tory Lanez’s Dad Just Shared This Surprising Message About His Son’s Prison Sentence

Lanez and his camp have been relatively quiet following the shocking stabbing he endured back in May ...
Skip Bayless' Says Has 'White Guilt' Over 'Sinners,' But Black Internet Has Questions

Skip Bayless’ Says Has ‘White Guilt’ Over ‘Sinners,’ But Black Internet Has Questions

The longtime sports commentator took a detour from hot takes to share his emotional reckoning and social media wasn't feeling it ...
Black America Reacts To Elon Musk's Plans to Start a Third Political Party

Black America Reacts To Elon Musk’s Plans to Start a Third Political Party

Despite Black folks' overwhelming criticism towards President Trump, they weren't too happy about Elon Musk's America Party either ...