Hall of Famers, knockout heavyweights,
and the wrestling daughter of a superstar. These kids have got some billion-dollar genes.
LeBron James is considered one of the greatest players in NBA history,
and his eldest, LeBron "Bronny" James Jr., is gearing up for that torch pass.
According to ESPN's recruiting program, if the high school point guard decides to go to college
and play for the NCAA, he'll have plenty of offers with schools like North Carolina,
Kentucky, and Duke all interested in the young star. By the age of 10, Bronny was already being
scouted — and his dad was not on board. The NBA star told CBS Detroit's Mike Sullivan,
"It should be a violation, you shouldn't be recruiting 10-year-old kids."
Bronny won't be eligible for the NBA draft until 2024, but when he is, his father told The Athletic
that he plans to end his career playing with his son, wherever that may be, saying:
"I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year.
It's not about the money at that point."
LeBron definitely doesn't have to worry about
that after being officially named a billionaire in June 2022, per Forbes.
Romeo Beckham, the son of soccer star David Beckham and singer turned fashion designer
Victoria Beckham is the spitting image of his star-studded parents.
What's more, the teen happens to be following his father's lead — and no, we're not talking about
their matching bleached-blond 'dos. Rather, he's started playing professional soccer.
As it turns out, footy isn't the only sport that Romeo has given a go; for some time, he was
serious about tennis. Eventually, Romeo pivoted away from tennis and went all in on soccer.
In September 2021, ESPN reported that Romeo joined Fort Lauderdale CF, now known as Inter
Miami CF II, a soccer club part of MLS Next Pro, and owned by his father's club Inter Miami FC.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali once shared on "The Dick Cavett Show" in 1972 that he'd much rather
have his kids hit the books than step inside the ring. However, one of his kids didn't listen to
their famous father and would go on to have an impressive career in the world of boxing.
The heavyweight champ's daughter Laila Ali entered the professional boxing world
at the age of 21. Her victorious first match set the tone for the rest of her career:
Laila would win all her matches, including winning a match against legendary boxer
Joe Frazier's daughter Jacqui Frazier-Lyde in 2001. Laila ended her boxing career in 2007.
On her website Laila shared:
"My father, the great Muhammad Ali, didn't even know I was boxing when
I first started. It wasn't until I focused on my champion mindset,
finding my confidence and strength to speak up, that I shared with him my passion for the sport."
Shaquille O'Neal is the proud father of six children, but his eldest son, Shareef O'Neal,
is already making headlines after he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in June 2022. Even though
he was not selected in the 2022 NBA draft, ABC News reported that the athlete would play for the
NBA team's Summer League. In July 2022, CBS Sports reported that he'd signed with the G League Ignite
In a video conference, Shareef shared that his father, who is regarded as one of the greatest
basketball players of all time, hasn't always been so sure about his kid starting down this
road just yet. Having played for UCLA and later transferring to LSU, he said,
"We kind of bump heads about this process. He wanted me to stay in
school. I wanted to better myself through this."
"I just want to keep fighting. I went through a lot and, you know, I just want to do what I've
always dreamed of, playing basketball, you know. As long as I'm playing basketball, I'm happy."
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's daughter Simone Johnson is officially a part
of her family's wrestling legacy after signing with the WWE in 2020.
Although she has yet to make her first appearance in a WWE ring because of injuries,
she is the company's first fourth-generation wrestler. Her father is, of course, The Rock,
an eight-time WWE champion. Her grandfather Rocky Johnson and his tag team partner, Tony Atlas,
were the first Black wrestlers to win a WWE – then WWF – championship.
In February 2020, Johnson shared the news that she
would start a career in the world of wrestling on Instagram, writing,
"To the little girl who fell in love with wrestling & said 'this will be my life
one day,' this is for you. I'm humbled, grateful & ready to work. Let's do this."
"She has a cool wrestling name."
"What is it?"
"It's Ava Raine."
"Oooh, wow."
Charlie Woods is dad Tiger Woods' mini-me. Not only does Charlie resemble his professional
golfer dad, he plays just like him, too. From his golf swing to his fist bump game,
this father and son are pretty much identical.
Charlie is just in his early stages of his golf career,
but he's already making a name for himself. In December 2021, Tiger and his son entered the PNC
Championship where they took second place behind John Daly and John Daly II. This was Tiger's
big return to the course after getting into a serious car crash in February 2021, per CNN.
In his "My Game" video series for Golf Digest,
Tiger spoke about being on the course with his young son, saying:
"It's been just an absolute blast to go out there and just be with him.
It reminds me so much of me and my dad."
There's no question that Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry is one of the best shooters
in NBA history. There are countless compilation videos of his incredible skills and basketball
fans are just in awe at his talents on the court. In 2022, Steph and his team won the NBA
Championship, making it his fourth championship win with the Warriors. Although Steph probably
knows just how good he is, he hasn't forgotten the man that helped him achieve all his success: his
father, Dell Curry, who played in the NBA for 16 years and won the Sixth Man of The Year in 1994.
Per the Daily Mail, the MVP told a crowd in 2018,
"I saw my dad and how he carried himself as a professional
and it helped me transition into the NBA."
"Now you're cookin', dad. Smooth as a milkshake."
What's more, Del has always made an effort to foster his kids' talents. He also got into
what an impact a parent's presence can have when it comes to helping children succeed.
Dell not only roots for Stephen, but his other son, Seth Curry, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets.
Former NBA player Dennis Rodman's son DJ Rodman is all about his dad's sport. But he's not the only
athlete in the family. Rodman's second-eldest, Trinity Rodman, didn't pick up a basketball like
her dad or brother, but she did find a love for soccer. Oh, and she has already gone pro.
"It's not my fault. I didn't ask for these feet."
In 2021, at the age of 18, Trinity was drafted by the Washington Spirit. As NBC Sports noted
at the time, she went from being the best high school forward to being the youngest person to
land a spot in the National Women's Soccer League. Trinity and her team won the 2021
NWSL championship and she was awarded Rookie of the Year. It also doesn't
hurt that she's the highest-paid player in the league, per ESPN.
Although most people recognize her famous father,
Trinity is finding her own path to success. She shared with ESPN,
"People do know Trinity Rodman sometimes first before Dennis Rodman now."
Chase Elliott has become a fan-favorite in NASCAR. He's been awarded Most Popular
Driver four years in a row and is a top driver in the NASCAR Cup Series.
His passion for racing is undeniable but it definitely had something to do with his genes.
Chase's father, Bill Elliott, is a NASCAR Hall of Famer who had plenty of accomplishments.
Bill Elliott competed mainly throughout the '80s and '90s and has won the Daytona 500 twice.
His son will have to keep on racing if he wants to surpass his father's
"Most Popular Driver" awards too, with his dad nabbing 16 of them. Understandably,
Chase is proud of his pop. In an interview with the "Cut To It" podcast:
"My dad was one of the stars of the show and I just thought that was just
the absolute coolest thing ever. Those moments were the ones that I'm like,
'Dang, I want to do that.' I think knowing the family history certainly pushes me to
want to keep that family name around racing, because I think it belongs."
NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss was one proud father when his kid Thaddeus Moss was set
to make his NFL debut with the Cincinnati Bengals during Week 12 of the 2021 season.
Randy, who became an NFL analyst with ESPN in 2016,
rose from his seat during "Sunday NFL Countdown" to root for Thaddeus when the news was announced.
"Let me stand up for my son. Boy, let's go son. Let's go. Who they?
Let's get it."
Although Thaddeus did not end up playing because of an injury,
it was still a big moment for his father.
Thaddeus, who played for the Louisiana State University Tigers,
went undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, but was picked up by the Washington Commanders,
per USA Today. After he was cut by the team, he was picked up by the Bengals in April 2021,
with high hopes that he could showcase his skills. According to the Bengals website,
in February 2022, Thaddeus was placed on the offseason roster.