As seen here (graphic from 2019), the sports world has long anticipated the historical pairing of LeBron James and LeBron James Jr.
As the last generation of greats grow old, a new generation is quickly emerging, including a few faces that are oddly reminiscent of the past.
On Oct. 22, NBA legend LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to play on the court at the same time as his son. The 39-year-old veteran advocated in the summer for his son LeBron “Bronny” James Jr. to be drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, James’s current team.
James Jr. spent one year on the roster at the University of Southern California, where he averaged 4.8 points per game through 25 appearances. He was drafted by the Lakers 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
In attendance to see James Jr. on the court with his father were the Griffeys, the first father-son duo to play simultaneously in major league sports. In 1990, Ken Griffey Sr. shared the field with his son Ken Griffey Jr. while on the Seattle Mariners.
Sometimes athleticism runs in a family’s blood, spanning multiple generations.
In Italy, soccer club AC Milan has been subject to almost 70 years of the Maldini family–good years at that. Cesare Maldini played 10 years for the club before retiring to become the club’s manager from 1972-1974.
His son, Paolo Maldini, followed his father’s legacy. Maldini played his entire 25 year career at Milan, winning 26 titles with the club: five UEFA Champions League titles, seven Serie A titles and was a runner-up in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which took place in the United States.
One of his sons, Daniel Maldini, made 15 appearances with AC Milan before being bought by AC Monza. The 23-year-old has played the 2024-2025 season for the club.
Although pressure can amount after multiple generations of great athletes, some thrive under the spotlight.
Arch Manning, the son of Cooper Manning and nephew of Super Bowl MVPs Eli and Peyton Manning, has played well in his position on the University of Texas’s football team this season.
His uncles are considered legends of the game. Peyton is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and Eli will be first-time eligible for the Hall in 2025.
Arch’s father Cooper was a highly-ranked commit to the University of Mississippi, where he was to play wide receiver. Before playing a single snap for the school, Cooper’s career was cut short due to a development of spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the space between the backbone.
As the oldest son of NFL quarterback Archie Manning, Cooper went on to practice law.
Archie, the namesake of his grandson Arch, played in the NFL from 1971 to 1984, making two Pro Bowls.
The 19-year-old Arch Manning was highly recruited out of high school, ultimately deciding to play at Texas.
In his fulfillment of the family tradition of the quarterback position, Arch’s decision to commit to Texas was questioned because the team already had quarterback Quinn Ewers, a three-year veteran transferred from Ohio State because of a lack of playing time.
Ewers has struggled with injuries throughout his time at Texas. He was sidelined in 2022 for three games after obtaining a collarbone injury. Arch got his first chance in the 2024 season after Ewers strained his oblique against University of Texas San Antonio.
Manning had a statline of 9-for-12 passing for 223 yards and four passing touchdowns. Although the quarterback impressed many, his most impressive play that night came on a 67-yard touchdown run.
The sports world was astounded, as his uncles were known for their lack of mobility in the pocket. On that 67-yard touchdown run, Arch reached a top speed of 20.7 miles per hour.
Arch has one more season until he is eligible for the NFL draft.
While the most notable family connections are within the sport, some often go under the radar when cross-sport.
Trinity Rodman, a 22-year-old forward for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club Washington Spirit, has quickly become one of the most notable names in women’s soccer. Rodman was named the 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or Feminin, the most prestigious award in soccer. She finished 18th.
Rodman scored three times in the United States women’s national team’s journey to the gold medal in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
While Rodman grows her name in the soccer world, many may not put together a familial connection.
Her father is 5-time NBA champion Dennis Rodman, the esteemed defender and rebounder who played alongside Michael Jordan. A career spanning 15 years, Rodman is a member of the NBA 75th anniversary team.
Over the last two generations of athletics, many greats have emerged; from their foothold, a new generation of athletes has arrived–one that in time could be regarded as the best generation of athletes ever.
