Hoops Habit
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30 NBA players who also had kids play in the league

By Larry Hammonds

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 16: (L-R) Allie LaForce interviews Seth Curry and Stephen CUrry during the 2019 State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Spectrum Center on February 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 16: (L-R) Allie LaForce interviews Seth Curry and Stephen CUrry during the 2019 State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Spectrum Center on February 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images) /
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Arvydas Sabonis
Arvydas Sabonis (Photo credit should read Scott Nelson/AFP via Getty Images) /

NBA players who also had kids play in the league: Arvydas Sabonis/Domantas Sabonis

Widely recognized as one of the best European basketball players of all-time, Arvydas Sabonis played nearly two decades of international basketball and seven seasons in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers.

One of the most decorated basketball players in the history of the game, Sabonis didn’t transition to the NBA until he was 30-years-old and past his prime. That didn’t stop him from having an effective career once he came stateside. He possessed unique court vision and passing ability for his size (7’3″) and is considered the best passing big-man of his generation and one of the best of all-time. He averaged 12 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his NBA career.

In the 1997-98 season, Sabonis had his best statistical NBA year, averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 79.8 percent from the charity stripe. He shot at least 36 percent from behind the arc three times during his seven years in the league, and the Trail Blazers made the playoffs every season he played, twice advancing to the Western Conference Finals.

Much like his father, Domantas Sabonis is a bruiser in the post who can act as a tertiary playmaker and stretch the floor with his ability to knock down three-pointers. Unlike his father, Domantas is a two-time NBA All-Star. Each year he continues to improve his game and increase his production. Sabonis currently plays for the Indiana Pacers and is averaging career highs in points (20.3), assists (6.4), and steals (1.1) per game.

He’s a walking double-double and won the 2021 NBA Skills competition during the most recent All-Star weekend. At just 24-years-old, Domantas has solidified himself as not only one of the best passing bigs in the league but one of the best big men in today’s game.