12 ‘nepo babies’ of NBA All-Stars now playing HS basketball
NEW YORK (BVM) – There’s a long list of notable sons of former and current NBA players who are playing high school basketball in 2024.
The sons of NBA legends are sometimes referred to as “nepotism babies,” – which implies that since a parent has connections to the industry, the child’s path to success is monumentally easier when compared to someone with similar or even greater talents.
In the sports nepo-verse, just having the same famous last name can go a long way in getting attention from scouts and the best coaches. Unfortunately, the achievements of sports nepo babies are less admirable – even if they authentically display exceptional, genetically gifted talents.
Here are 12 of the more notable sons of NBA All-Stars who are currently playing high school hoops (information collected from MaxPreps).
Kiyan Anthony (son of Carmelo Anthony)
Carmelo Anthony is a former 10-time NBA All-Star. His son, Kiyan, is currently playing his junior season at Long Island Lutheran (NY) – where he’s averaging 10.3 points, 2.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds. He’s ranked as the No. 41 overall prospect by 247 Sports Composite. Notably, his NIL valuation is $540,000, according to On3. At 6-foot-5, the shooting guard is almost as tall as his famous father. Kiyan even has an offer from his dad’s alma mater, Syracuse.
“College coaches, I feel like they’re not going to offer you a scholarship because of who you are,’’ Kiyan said in an interview with Syracuse.com. “They actually see potential in me.’’
Jacob Wilkins (son of Dominique Wilkins)
Dominique Wilkins is a former nine-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer. His son, Jacob, is playing his junior season at Grayson High School (GA). The 6-foot-7 small forward is ranked as the No. 31 player in the nation by 247 Sports Composite. He’s committed to his father’s alma mater, Georgia.
“I know I come in there with a (prominent) last name, but I know I will make my own name going there, not just being the son of Dominique Wilkins,” Jacob said in a YouTube video about his commitment.
Walker Allen (son of Ray Allen)
Ray Allen is a former 10-time NBA All-Star and two-time champion. His son, Walker Allen, is playing his junior season at Gulliver Prep (FL). In fact, Ray is the head coach there. While Ray is 6-foot-5 – Walker stands at only 5-foot-10. In 20 games so far, the point guard has averaged 4.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists.
“[Walker] has Type-1 diabetes,” Ray wrote on Instagram. “He definitely wants to follow in my footsteps. I will do everything in my power to make sure he creates bigger footsteps. Diabetes doesn’t stop him from doing anything… All day long we are checking his blood sugar, making sure he isn’t too high or too low.”
Alijah Arena (son of Gilbert Arenas)
Gilbert Arenas is a former three-time NBA All-Star. His son, Alijah, is playing his sophomore season at Chatsworth High School (CA). Alijah is already 6-foot-4, which makes him just as tall as his famous father. The shooting guard – who is averaging 33.7 points this season – is ranked as the No. 3 player overall in the nation by 247 Sports Composite. His NIL valuation is $200,000.
“The basketball kids are actually privileged, versus what the father had to endure,” Gilbert said on the No Chill podcast in response to commentary about the high expectations Alijah is facing.
Cameron and Cayden Boozer (sons of Carlos Boozer)
Carlos Boozer is a former two-time NBA All-Star who played 13 years in the league. His twin sons, Cameron and Cayden, are playing their junior seasons at Christopher Columbus High School (FL). They are both ranked as the top-15 prospects in the country by 247 Sports Composite. They also each hold NIL valuations in the six-figure range, according to On3. Additionally, they have offers from their dad’s alma mater, Duke.
“I have my own path that I need to take, and if I go to Duke, then that’s what happens,” Cayden said at the Holiday Hoopsgiving showcase.
Gicarri Harris (son of Glenn Robinson)
Glenn Robinson is a former two-time NBA All-Star and one-time champion. His son, Gicarri, is playing his senior season at Grayson High School (GA). The 6-foot-4 combo guard is ranked as a top-75 prospect in the nation by 247 Sports Composite. He’s committed to his dad’s alma mater, Purdue.
“[In five years], I see myself in the NBA on a team where I’m contributing a lot,” Gicarri told Pro Insight.
A.J. Jamison (son of Antawn Jamison)
Antawn Jamison is a former two-time NBA All-Star who played 16 years in the league. His son, A.J., is playing his junior season at Myers Park High School (NC). Myers Park is currently ranked as the No. 16 high school boys basketball team in the country by ESPN. The 6-foot-1 guard himself isn’t nationally ranked. He’s averaging 2.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists this season.
“[A.J.] is just ‘Blake Griffin, Blake Griffin, Blake Griffin,” Antawn told NBA.com when A.J. was just 6 years old. “It will be good for him to come out and meet the guys… He has a high basketball IQ as well. He’ll sit there on NBA TV this whole summer just watching games.”
Laymen McGrady (son of Tracy McGrady)
Tracy McGrady is a former seven-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer. His son, Laymen, is playing his junior season at IMG Academy (FL). The 6-foot-4 junior guard isn’t nationally ranked, but he still has dreams of becoming a hall-of-famer just like his father.
“I have goals of making the NBA and the Hall of Fame,” Laymen told Click2Houston.
Jermaine O’Neal Jr. (son of Jermaine O’Neal)
Jermaine O’Neal is a former six-time NBA All-Star. He’s currently coaching his son, O’Neal Jr., at Dynamic Prep (TX). The 6-foot-5 small forward is ranked as the No. 108 player nationally by 247 Sports Composite. He’s averaging 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals this season.
“For the most part, [my dad] is a good coach and he treats me like a pro, so I can’t get away with a lot of stuff,” O’Neal Jr. told The State.
Justin Pippen (son of Scottie Pippen)
Scottie Pippen is a former seven-time NBA All-Star and six-time champion. His son Justin is a senior basketball player at Sierra Canyon (CA) – where he’s averaging 18.1 points, 5.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds. The 6-foot-4 combo guard is ranked relatively low as the No. 135 player overall by 247 Sports Composite. He has only a handful of top D-I offers, but he’s utilizing his resources to improve on the court.
“(I’m improving) just being in the gym with [my brother] and other pros this summer, and my dad as well,” Justin told Yahoo Sports. “He’s just telling me to wake up every single day and put the work in.”
Bryce James (son of LeBron James)
Bryce is ranked as the No. 153 player in the nation by 247 Sports Composite. Even with a low ranking, he still holds a million-dollar NIL valuation – thanks to him being the son of LeBron James. LeBron has hinted that he dreams of playing alongside Bryce in the NBA one day.
“Tell them you’re not done till you play with your son — then do that again,” Savannah James says in a Beats by Dre commercial as LeBron’s sons Bronny and Bryce appear on screen.
