BRONNY James is the latest – and most high-profile – nepo baby to enter the sports landscape.
But the new Los Angeles Lakers signing will have a long way to go to become the most successful athlete offspring.
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Bronny James has been drafted by the Los Angeles LakersCredit: Getty
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Bronny will team up with his dad LeBron in Los AngelesCredit: Getty
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They will be the first father-son duo on the same team in NBA historyCredit: Getty
Bronny choked back the tears after being drafted No. 55 overall by the Lakers – to team up with his legendary dad LeBron James.
It is the first time that a father and son will play together on the same team for the first time in NBA history.
Some NBA insiders have accused the 19-year-old of benefitting from nepotism.
But ESPN analyst Adrian Wojnarowski noted the issue existed long before the James’ joined forces in Los Angeles.
“I don’t want to hear the charges, people talking about nepotism,” Wojnarowski said on coverage of the Draft.
“The NBA is full of nepotism. The ownership level, front offices, coaching.
“I don’t want to hear about it – all of a sudden – because Bronny James’ father plays for the Lakers.
“It is rampant in this league.”
Here is a list of superstar athletes who have eclipsed their famous parents – and some who are still on the way up.
Peyton Manning
He went on to have a long NFL career with the New Orleans Saints – but struggled to have much team success.
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Peyton Manning (right) with his dad ArchieCredit: Getty
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Peyton won two Super Bowls in his Hall of Fame careerCredit: Getty
Two of Manning’s children – Peyton and Eli – had far greater success in their careers.
Peyton is one of the greatest QBs in the history of the game, with five MVP awards, two Super Bowls and a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Denver Broncos legend’s nephew Arch is poised to be the next member of the Manning family to make the pro ranks.
Arch is currently a backup quarterback at the Texas Longhorns.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr
Dale Earnhardt Sr. was the face of Nascar for the majority of his illustrious career in which he won the Cup Series title seven times.
The son of a racing driver himself, Dale Sr.’s death during the 2001 Daytona 500 aged 49 sent shockwaves through the sport.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. with his late father Dale Sr.Credit: Getty
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Dale Jr. is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500Credit: Getty
Dale Jr. carried the familial torch by winning 26 Cup Series races and the 2004 and 2014 Daytona 500.
He is now a successful team owner and sports broadcaster.
Steph Curry
Dell Curry was one of the best shooters in the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s.
He retired as the Charlotte Hornets’ all-time leader in points (9,839) and three-point field goals made (929).
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Steph Curry with his dad Dell, a former NBA starCredit: Getty
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Steph has won four titles in his illustrious NBA careerCredit: Getty
Steph has gone on to far greater glory with two MVP awards and four NBA titles.
The future Hall of Famer is considered the greatest three-point shooter in the history of the league.
The Golden State Warriors star’s younger brother Seth has also had a longstanding NBA career.
Dell is now calling Seth’s games at the Hornets.
Christian McCaffrey
The San Francisco 49ers star is one the best running backs in the NFL.
But Christian still has a way to go to be considered even the greatest athlete in his family.
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Christian McCaffrey with his dad Ed (left)Credit: Getty
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Christian is a star running back with the San Francisco 49ersCredit: Getty
McCaffrey’s dad Ed won three Super Bowls in an illustrious NFL career, while his mom Lisa was a soccer star at Stanford.
His uncle Billy won a college basketball title with Duke, while his maternal grandfather Dave Sime won the 100 meters silver medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
McCaffrey’s three brothers Max, Dylan and Luke have all played Division I college football, with Max making it to the NFL as a practice squad member with a number of teams.
Meanwhile, his aunt Sherrie Sime Giusto played tennis at Virginia while his uncle Scott Sime played football at Duke.
Charlie Woods
Charlie Woods has followed in his dad Tiger’s footsteps in becoming a rising junior golf star.
The 15-year-old recently qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills next month.
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Charlie Woods with his legendary dad TigerCredit: Getty
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Charlie recently qualified for the US Junior AmateurCredit: Getty
“The USGA means a lot to me,” Charlie said.
“I want to win USGA championships and hopefully one day the U.S. Open.”
Tiger is the only player to win the U.S. Juniors three straight times.
He went on to win three U.S. Amateurs before lifting 15 majors and 82 PGA Tour titles.
Shedeur Sanders
The college football star is continuing to follow in his father Deion’s footsteps – both on and off the field.
The 22-year-old Colorado Buffaloes quarterback has released his first rap single Perfect Timing.
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Shedeur Sanders plays for his dad Deion at the Colorado BuffaloesCredit: Getty
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Shedeur is a star quarterback – and a budding rapperCredit: Getty
Shedeur recently debuted the track after first teasing it back in September last year.
He is coached in Boulder by his dad Deion, a Pro Footballl Hall of Famer.
Known as Coach Prime, the eight-time Pro Bowler had a brief music career of his own in the mid-1990s.
Shedeur passed for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and three interceptions during his first season in Colorado.
He transferred to Boulder from Jackson State in the fall of 2022 alongside his dad and brother Shilo, 24.
Austin Rivers
Doc Rivers became an All-Star in a solid 14-year career in the NBA as a point guard.
He went on to greater success as a head coach, winning an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008.
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Austin Rivers played for his dad Doc at the Los Angeles ClippersCredit: Getty
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Austin is now an NBA broadcaster on ESPNCredit: Getty
A star player at Duke, Austin was drafted No. 10 overall by New Orleans Pelicans in 2012.
On January 16, 2015, Austin became the first player in NBA history to play for his father, while at the Los Angeles Clippers.
Now an ESPN broadcaster, Austin says he understands the criticisms that will come Bronny’s way
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“I went through something similar … what happens is a lot of people start to discredit everything you’ve done,” he said.
“When I went to the Clippers people were like ‘you’re only in the league because of your dad’, after me being the No 1 player in the United States two years prior.”
