Heirs to Greatness:
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What Happened to the Sons of NBA Legends?
In basketball, royalty isn’t just defined by the banners in the rafters or the names on jerseys.
It’s also written in bloodlines.
Behind many of the game’s biggest legends stand their sons—born into expectations, raised in the shadow of greatness, and left to answer a heavy question:
What do you do when your last name is already famous before you ever touch a ball?
Some rose to the moment.
Some struggled under the weight.
Others quietly chose their own path.
These are the stories of the sons of late NBA legends—and how they carried, reshaped, or escaped the legacies handed to them.
Josh Maravich – Son of “Pistol Pete”
Pete Maravich was a basketball artist.
At LSU and in the NBA, “Pistol Pete” dazzled with no-look passes, deep shots, and a creative flair that was decades ahead of its time. He became a mythic figure—then, just as suddenly, he was gone. Pete died of a heart defect at only 40 years old.
His son, Josh Maravich, inherited a quieter version of that legacy.
Josh followed his father’s footsteps to LSU, walking onto the same campus where Pete had become a legend. The comparisons were impossible to avoid, but Josh never tried to be a copy of his dad. He didn’t light up scoreboards or chase headlines. Instead, he embraced the game on his own terms—through teaching, mentoring, and sharing the love of basketball with others.
While Pete revolutionized how the game was played, Josh embodied why it mattered.
He spent years coaching and inspiring young players, carrying his father’s spirit even if he never matched his fame.
Tragically, like his father, Josh’s life was cut short. He passed away at 42, leaving behind a family and a legacy built not on records, but on relationships. His story is a reminder: not every heir to greatness measures success in stats. Sometimes, it’s measured in lives touched.
Bol Bol – Son of Manute Bol
A Giant Legacy, A New Kind of Big Man
Manute Bol was unforgettable.
At 7’7″, he towered over opponents, swatting shots into the stands and capturing hearts with his gentle personality and tireless humanitarian work for Sudan. He wasn’t just an NBA curiosity—he was a symbol of hope.
His son, Bol Bol, inherited the height—and then rewrote the position.
Standing 7’2″, Bol Bol doesn’t just stand under the basket and block shots. He dribbles, steps into threes, and moves like someone half his size. At Oregon, he was a sensation before a foot injury cut his college career short.
Even so, his potential was undeniable.
Drafted in the second round in 2019, Bol Bol entered the NBA as a mystery with infinite upside. In flashes—pull-up threes, coast-to-coast drives, chasedown blocks—fans saw glimpses of something wild: a modern unicorn with a legendary name.
Off the court, Bol honors Manute’s true legacy: service.
He continues to support causes in Sudan, extending his father’s humanitarian work.
For the Bol family, greatness isn’t just measured in blocks and points.
It’s measured in what you give back.
Kobe Bryant – Son of Joe “Jellybean” Bryant
From Overseas Gyms to Global Icon
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant carved out his career in the NBA and overseas, especially in Italy, where basketball and culture blended into a unique upbringing for his young son, Kobe.
While Joe never became a superstar, he gave Kobe something far more valuable than fame: access. Access to gyms, to pro routines, to the mindset of a basketball lifer.
Kobe took that foundation—and detonated it.
Skipping college, entering the league straight from high school, Kobe Bryant became one of the most iconic players in NBA history:
5-time NBA champion
18-time All-Star
One of the greatest scorers ever
The architect of the “Mamba Mentality”
His work ethic was legendary. His competitive fire terrified opponents and inspired millions. For many, Kobe wasn’t just a player—he was a philosophy.
When Kobe and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash in 2020, it felt like the world stopped. But his impact didn’t.
From the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation to his storytelling ventures and the mentality he preached, Kobe left behind a blueprint for greatness that stretched far beyond basketball.
Joe Bryant’s career opened the door.
Kobe blew the hinges off.
Brian Cook – Son of Norm Cook
Carrying a Legacy with Quiet Dignity
Norm Cook was a star at Kansas, a talented forward whose NBA path with the Boston Celtics was derailed by injuries and mental health struggles.
His son, Brian Cook, watched that story unfold—and chose to write a different one.
Brian became a McDonald’s All-American in high school, then a standout at the University of Illinois. In 2003, he was named Big Ten Player of the Year and was selected 24th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.
In the NBA, Brian never became a household name. But he carved out a long, respectable career as a stretch forward, playing for teams like the Lakers, Magic, and Rockets. He knocked down threes, provided spacing, and did his job.
He didn’t chase his father’s ghosts or try to become an icon.
Instead, he honored Norm Cook’s legacy with professionalism and resilience—proving that success in a basketball family doesn’t always mean superstardom.
Richard Dumas – Son of Rich Dumas
A Meteoric Rise, A Painful Fall
Richard Dumas’s story is one of raw talent—and haunting struggle.
His father, Rich Dumas, had a modest pro career, but Richard arrived with explosive athleticism and a scoring touch that screamed star potential. At Oklahoma State, he shined. When the Phoenix Suns drafted him in 1991, they knew they were getting a steal.
But before he even debuted, a drug suspension delayed his arrival.
When he finally hit the court in 1992, he lit up the league—averaging 15.8 points per game and helping the Suns reach the NBA Finals alongside Charles Barkley. He played with energy, power, and flair. Fans loved him. Coaches trusted him.
Then his demons came back.
Substance abuse issues led to more suspensions, and a career that should have spanned a decade at the top burned out early. Richard Dumas became a cautionary tale: a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough, and that the battle off the court can be even tougher than the one on it.
His legacy is complicated—brilliance, heartbreak, and a sobering lesson about the pressures and pitfalls of life in the spotlight.
LaRon Ellis – Son of Leroy Ellis
Quiet Work in a Loud Game
Leroy Ellis was a steady big man—14 seasons in the NBA, a championship with the 1972 Lakers, a respected veteran.
His son, LaRon Ellis, grew up with the tools to follow.
LaRon played at Kentucky, then Syracuse, where he developed into a solid post presence. The Los Angeles Clippers drafted him in 1991, and he went on to play for the Clippers, Hornets, and Heat.
His NBA run wasn’t long, and it wasn’t filled with awards. But for a son of a champion, he found his own way to honor the family name: effort, professionalism, and later, mentorship.
LaRon’s impact drifted from playing to teaching, passing on the same discipline and perseverance his father once instilled in him. Not every legacy is loud. Some are measured in lessons, not trophies.
Danny Ferry – Son of Bob Ferry
Royalty in the Front Office and on the Floor
Bob Ferry was an NBA player and a longtime general manager of the Washington Bullets, helping shape rosters and seasons from behind the scenes.
His son Danny Ferry grew up in that world—and stepped into the spotlight.
At Duke, Danny became a college legend, leading the Blue Devils to three Final Fours and winning the Naismith Award as the nation’s top player in 1989. Drafted second overall by the Clippers, he chose first to play in Italy before joining the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His NBA career never reached the superstar levels many expected, but he became a respected shooter and team leader.
Then he followed his father’s path.
After retiring, Danny moved into the front office, serving as general manager for the Cavaliers and later the Atlanta Hawks. Though his tenure in Atlanta was marred by controversy, his eye for talent and roster-building earned him respect across the league.
The Ferry family didn’t just play the game.
They helped build it.
Matt Guokas Jr. – Son of Matt Guokas Sr.
The NBA’s First Father–Son Duo
Before basketball became a global phenomenon, the Guokas name was already written in its early history.
Matt Guokas Sr. played for the 1947 Philadelphia Warriors, helping them win the NBA’s very first championship.
His son, Matt Guokas Jr., extended that legacy—and elevated it.
After starring at Saint Joseph’s University, Matt Jr. was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1966. He became a dependable guard and later joined the 1967 Sixers, one of the greatest teams ever, winning an NBA title.
The Guokases became the NBA’s first father–son duo, and one of the few families with multiple generations of champions.
After his playing career, Matt Jr. transitioned into broadcasting and then coaching. He became the first head coach of the Orlando Magic, guiding an expansion team through its early years with patience and poise.
For the Guokas family, basketball wasn’t just a job. It was a generational thread.
Danny Manning – Son of Ed Manning
“Danny and the Miracles” and Beyond
Ed Manning was a tough, hardworking ABA/NBA player and later an assistant coach. His grit and love for the game shaped his son, Danny—
who would go on to surpass him.
At Kansas, Danny Manning became a legend. In 1988, he led the underdog Jayhawks to an NCAA title, earning the nickname “Danny and the Miracles” and being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
The Los Angeles Clippers selected him first overall in the 1988 NBA Draft. Early on, he looked every bit like a future superstar—until injuries intervened. Two ACL tears slowed what could have been a Hall of Fame trajectory.
Even so, Danny became a two-time All-Star and a reliable scorer and rebounder over a 15-year NBA career. Afterward, he turned to coaching, leading programs like Wake Forest and passing on the wisdom his father once gave him.
Danny’s story is one of resilience—rising, falling, and staying committed to the game through every phase.
Devyn Marble – Son of Roy Marble
Father and Son, Bound by Iowa
Roy Marble was a legend at the University of Iowa—the school’s all-time leading scorer and a beloved figure. His NBA career was brief, but his college impact was huge.
His son, Devyn Marble, chose to honor that legacy directly.
Devyn played at Iowa as well, becoming a versatile scorer and defender. By the time he graduated, he ranked among the program’s leaders in multiple categories. The Denver Nuggets drafted him in 2014 and traded him to the Orlando Magic.
His time in the NBA was short, but he kept his career alive overseas, playing in Italy, Greece, Turkey, and beyond. All the while, he carried the weight of his father’s legacy—and the pain of Roy’s battle with cancer, which ended his life in 2015.
The Marbles won’t be remembered for NBA rings, but for something just as powerful: loyalty to each other and to the game they loved.
Jim and John Paxson – Sons of Jim Paxson Sr.
Championships, Clutch Shots, and Front Office Power
Jim Paxson Sr. played in the 1950s for the Minneapolis Lakers and Cincinnati Royals, setting the stage for one of basketball’s great family runs.
His sons, Jim and John, picked up the torch.
Jim Paxson Jr. starred at the University of Dayton, then became a two-time All-Star in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers, known for his smooth scoring and consistency.
John Paxson took a different route. After Notre Dame, he found his true home with the Chicago Bulls. There, he became a clutch role player, hitting one of the most iconic shots in Finals history—a game-winning three-pointer in the 1993 NBA Finals.
After their playing days, both brothers moved upstairs:
John became the Bulls’ general manager and a central figure in shaping their post-Jordan eras.
Jim held executive roles with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Paxsons didn’t just play in the league—they helped run it.
Danny Schayes – Son of Dolph Schayes
18 Years in the Shadow of a Giant
Dolph Schayes was one of the NBA’s original giants—a 12-time All-Star, member of the 50 Greatest Players, and a dominant force in the league’s early days.
His son, Danny Schayes, grew up under that towering shadow.
At Syracuse, Danny developed into a skilled big man. Drafted 13th overall in 1981, he went on to have an 18-year NBA career—remarkable longevity in any era.
He never matched his father’s star power, but he became exactly what most teams crave: a reliable, smart, hard-working center who played his role, protected the paint, and adapted to the evolving game.
Danny often credited his father’s mentorship for his ability to stick in the league so long. Where Dolph was a legend, Danny was a pro’s pro—both essential in the story of the Schayes family.
Nolan Smith – Son of Derek Smith
Carrying a Memory to the Court
Derek Smith was a talented guard and NBA champion with the 1985–86 Boston Celtics. But his life was tragically cut short when he died at just 34.
His son Nolan was only eight.
What Nolan had left of his father were stories, highlights, and a name. He took all of that and went to work.
At Duke, Nolan became one of the best players in the country. In his senior season, he:
Won ACC Player of the Year
Became a consensus All-American
Helped lead Duke to the 2010 NCAA Championship
Drafted 21st overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2011, his NBA career was brief. But his passion for the game didn’t end there.
He transitioned into coaching, returning to Duke as a staff member and later joining Louisville’s coaching staff. Nolan’s career may not match his father’s in NBA accolades, but in dedication, leadership, and love for the game, he has honored Derek’s memory at every step.
Jeffrey Taylor – Son of Jeff Taylor
From the NBA to European Glory
Jeff Taylor Sr. played in the early ’80s for the Rockets and Pistons—a steady forward who carved out his spot in a tough league.
His son, Jeffrey Taylor, took that foundation global.
Born in Sweden, Jeffrey grew up between cultures and courts. At Vanderbilt, he blossomed into an All-SEC player known for athleticism and lockdown defense. Drafted 31st overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2012, he flashed promise before his NBA career ended earlier than expected.
But his story didn’t stop there.
In Europe, especially with Real Madrid, Jeffrey Taylor became a vital piece on a powerhouse roster—winning EuroLeague titles, defending elite scorers, and earning the respect of one of the toughest basketball scenes in the world.
His path shows that a basketball legacy doesn’t have to run through the NBA alone. Greatness travels.
Jan van Breda Kolff – Son of Butch van Breda Kolff
From Coaching Chamberlain to Leading Programs
Butch van Breda Kolff was a pioneering coach, known for guiding stars like Wilt Chamberlain and leaving a mark on both college and pro basketball.
His son, Jan, inherited that basketball brain.
As a player at Vanderbilt, Jan developed into a smart, skilled forward. Drafted in 1974, he spent time in the ABA and NBA with teams like the New York Nets and Denver Nuggets—never an All-Star, but always respected for his feel for the game.
After playing, he followed his father into coaching. Jan became a head coach at the college level, leading Vanderbilt, Pepperdine, and other programs. His teams were known for discipline, fundamentals, and toughness—holding onto the principles Butch had preached decades earlier.
For the van Breda Kolff family, basketball wasn’t just a profession. It was a philosophy passed down.
Kiki Vandeweghe – Son of Ernie Vandeweghe
Scorer, Executive, and Heir to a Different Kind of Greatness
Ernie Vandeweghe was a forward for the New York Knicks in the 1950s—but that was only part of who he was. He was also a physician and an Air Force veteran, setting an extraordinary standard for achievement.
His son, Kiki Vandeweghe, carried that multi-faceted legacy into basketball.
At UCLA, Kiki helped lead the Bruins to the 1980 NCAA title game. Drafted 11th overall in 1980, he became a prolific scorer with the Denver Nuggets, averaging over 19 points per game in his career and earning two All-Star selections.
He later played for the Trail Blazers, Knicks, and Clippers, known for his silky jumper and scoring craft.
After retiring, Kiki moved into executive roles with the Nuggets and Nets and later influenced league policies and player development as an NBA executive.
His story shows how a legacy can expand: from one man who blended basketball, medicine, and service to a son who impacted the sport as both player and policymaker.
Jalen Rose – Son of Jimmy Walker
Redefining a Legacy He Never Knew
Jimmy Walker was a two-time NBA All-Star and the No. 1 pick in the 1967 draft—but his biggest connection to the modern game came through someone he never met: his son, Jalen Rose.
Jalen grew up hearing about his father, not from him. Jimmy Walker was absent from his life. That vacuum became fuel.
At Michigan, Jalen became part of the legendary Fab Five—bold, brash, and revolutionary. Baggy shorts, black socks, swagger, and substance. They reached back-to-back NCAA Championship Games and changed college basketball’s culture.
Drafted 13th overall in 1994, Jalen had a strong NBA career, peaking with the Indiana Pacers, where he won Most Improved Player and helped lead them to the 2000 Finals.
After basketball, Jalen reinvented himself again—as a broadcaster, cultural voice, and philanthropist. He founded the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in Detroit, providing education and opportunity to kids in his hometown.
Without ever having his father in his life, Jalen not only escaped that shadow—he built a completely new legacy of his own.
Luke Walton – Son of Bill Walton
A Different Kind of Walton Impact
Bill Walton was a force of nature.
A Hall of Famer, MVP, two-time NBA champion, and one of the game’s great personalities, Bill’s blend of skill and spirit made him unforgettable—even as injuries shortened his prime.
His son, Luke Walton, inherited the IQ and love for the game, but not the same physical tools or role.
At Arizona, Luke shined as a smart, team-first player. Drafted by the Lakers in 2003, he became a valuable role player and later a two-time NBA champion in 2009 and 2010, praised for his passing and feel for team dynamics.
After playing, Luke moved to the sidelines. As an assistant with the Warriors, he guided them to a 39–4 start as interim head coach during the 73-win season, earning him head coaching jobs with the Lakers and Kings.
Luke’s career has been up and down, but always rooted in the same thing Bill passed down: a deep love for the game and a unique way of seeing it.
Andrew Wiggins – Son of Mitchell Wiggins
A Second Chance at a Family Story
Mitchell Wiggins was a talented shooting guard and first-round pick who showed scoring promise but saw his career dented by drug suspensions.
His son, Andrew Wiggins, grew up aware of both the talent and the turmoil.
In Canada, Andrew’s athletic gifts were obvious from an early age. At Kansas, he became a sensation—earning the nickname “Maple Jordan” and drawing comparisons to all-time greats.
In 2014, he was drafted first overall by the Cavaliers, then traded to the Timberwolves in a blockbuster deal for Kevin Love. In Minnesota, he flashed star potential, won Rookie of the Year, and showed scoring bursts—but inconsistency kept critics loud.
Then came the trade that changed everything.
In Golden State, alongside Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, Wiggins found something he’d long been missing: clarity of role and a winning culture. In 2022, he became a crucial piece of the Warriors’ championship run—defending stars, crashing the glass, and silencing doubters.
In many ways, Andrew’s journey is a redemption arc—not just for himself, but for the Wiggins name.
More Than a Last Name
From Josh Maravich’s quiet devotion to the game his father transformed…
To Bol Bol blending old height with new skills…
To Kobe Bryant turning a journeyman father’s foundation into global legend…
To sons like Jalen Rose and Andrew Wiggins rewriting family stories entirely…
These sons of NBA legends remind us of something powerful:
Basketball legacies don’t always follow a straight line.
Some sons surpass their fathers.
Some fall short.
Some pivot into coaching, business, or service.
Some never wanted the spotlight at all.
But each of them—whether in packed arenas or distant overseas gyms—carries a piece of what came before.
And that’s the true power of basketball across generations:
It doesn’t just live in banners and box scores.
It lives in families, in lessons, in second chances, and in the quiet determination to honor a name… or to redefine it.
The game goes on.
So do the stories.
