5 NBA players whose moms have featured in WNBA feat. Jaden Ivey
The NBA has seen its fair share of players enter and exit the league over the years. There were some first-generation players and there were some second-generation ones. Soon, third-generation players will also become a common breed in the world's biggest basketball league.
Father-son duos became common in the league, however, the world's biggest basketball league doesn't only comprise players who had fathers in professional basketball.
Let's take a look at five NBA players whose mothers were professional basketball players and played in the WNBA.
5 NBA players whose moms have played in WNBA
5. Paolo Banchero
The Orlando Magic power forward is the first entry on this list. Paolo Banchero's mother Rhonda Smith-Banchero was a WNBA player for the Sacramento Monarchs in 2000. She played in the league for a single season after which she was not seen playing professionally.
However, the Magic drafted her son Paolo in the 2022 Draft as the number one overall pick to continue her legacy.
4. Garry Harris
Drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the 2014 Draft, Gary Harris had an early introduction to basketball in his life.
His mother Joy Holmes-Harris made a name for herself at Purdue University after which she joined the Washington Mystics. Later, she was cut from the team the same year and ended up playing for the Detroit Shock.
Joy's son Gary is now with the Orlando Magic after the Nuggets traded him to them in 2021.
3. Terance Mann
Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann has found a good footing in the league after following his rookie season in 2019. But a lot of that has to do with his mother, Daynia La-Force.
Daynia might not have a lot of experience on the court as a player but she has proved herself well in the coaching field.
She has coached teams for the past 25 years and is currently working as the assistant coach for the Indiana Fever, alongside Christie Sides.
2. Jaden Ivey
The Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey spent his childhood under professional basketball guidance that helped him achieve the success he has in his career.
Jaden's mother Niele Ivey spent four years in the WNBA and played for three teams. The Indiana Fever drafted her in 2001 and she stayed with them for three years. In 2005, she joined the Phoenix Mercury and in the same year, she moved to the Detroit Shock.
After ending her career in the WNBA, Niele entered the coaching profession and is now the coach for Notre Dame.
1. JaVale McGee
Last appearing for the Sacramento Kings, the former NBA champion had basketball running in his veins. His mother Pamela McGee is one of the WABA players who later joined the WNBA.
Pamela started her career in the league with the Sacramento Monarchs. She later joined the Los Angeles Sparks and stayed with them for a season.
She also represented Team USA in the 1984 Olympics and secured the gold medal for her nation. In 2012, Pamela was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.