Families come with traditions. And each family has their own. Some bake pies together, others go camping, and a few lucky ones pass down the secret to a perfect crossover. But the families on this list turned March Madness and the NBA into a family thing. These are dynasties that go deep, with at least three members hooping or coaching at the college level.
Which Are the Top 5 Basketball Dynasties?
5. The Ball Brothers: Lonzo, LaMelo, and LiAngelo
A lot can be said about LaVar Ball’s bold claims, but he did raise three kids who ended up being in the headlines for a long time. And to make it even better, they were all UCLA recruits.
Lonzo Ball became a one-and-done star at UCLA before getting picked second overall by the Lakers in 2017. LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball followed right behind. LaMelo Ball, in fact, made a verbal pledge at just 13.
LiAngelo Ball’s college career had some unfortunate moments that were caused by a shoplifting incident in China. This was followed by LaVar Ball pulling him from UCLA. Then the spotlight was all on LaMelo Ball.
But NCAA eligibility issues and a sneaker line detoured LaMelo Ball’s college path before it began. Instead, the younger two headed to Lithuania to go pro. But the Ball legacy did not stop there.
Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball made NBA history when both were drafted in the top three. LaMelo Ball exploded into the league, winning Rookie of the Year in 2021 and securing an All-Star nod the next year. He is, after all, the man who had 92 points in a single game during his high school years.
4. The Barry Family: Rick, Scooter, Jon, Brent, Drew, and Canyon
The Barry family is basketball royalty. And there are no two ways about it.
The story of the Barry brothers on the hardcourts started with Rick Barry in Miami (Fla.), whose number is retired by the Hurricanes. In his senior year, he averaged 37.4 points per game. Rick Barry went on to become an NBA legend and a Hall of Famer. And no doubt, he passed down his skills.
Scooter Barry was one of the reasons why the 1988 Kansas Jayhawks team won a national title. Jon Barry, meanwhile, had 1,000+ points at Georgia Tech before heading to the NBA. Brent Barry brought the flair with his dunks at Oregon State and won two NBA championships. Drew Barry followed Jon Barry to Georgia Tech and still holds the school record with 724 career assists.
And the youngest hoops player of the Barry dynasty, Canyon Barry, took his skills to the College of Charleston. Canyon Barry, much like his father, was able to shoot free throws underhanded.
3. The Drew Family: Homer, Bryce, and Scott
If Valparaiso basketball had a last name, it’d probably be Drew. Homer Drew took the head coach role in 1988 and built the program. He led Valpo to five straight NCAA tournaments in the late ’90s. Then, his son, Scott Drew, took over in 2002. He revolutionized Baylor and made it the big name it is today.
Then there is Bryce Drew, the golden child of Valpo, who is the man behind the iconic “The Shot” of 1998 against Ole Miss. That moment is still the most loved March Madness dunk. As a player, Bryce Drew still tops Valpo’s charts in points, assists, and three-pointers. As coaches, the trio combined for over 1,000 wins and a winning percentage north of 63%.
2. The Plumlee Brothers: Mason, Miles, and Marshall
It is not often that a full sibling set goes through the same program. Mason Plumlee, Miles Plumlee, and Marshall Plumlee all suited up for Coach K at Duke. Miles Plumlee originally committed to Stanford but decided to join his brothers in Durham. Mason Plumlee and Miles Plumlee played side-by-side and won it all in 2010, joining the ranks of legendary Duke duos.
Marshall Plumlee followed and went on to become a co-captain during his final year before pursuing a career in the U.S. Army. Their dad played at Tennessee Tech, and their Mom hooped at Purdue.
1. The Curry Family: Dell, Steph, and Seth
No surprises here. It all began with Dell Curry, a Virginia Tech standout who racked up over 2,300 points and still holds the program’s steals record. His jersey hangs in the rafters, and his legacy just keeps going. If that wasn’t enough, Dell Curry’s wife, Sonya Curry, was a volleyball star at Virginia Tech, too. Then came Steph Curry.
Steph Curry and his Cinderella story at Davidson in 2008 took the sports world by surprise. Then he led the Wildcats to the Elite Eight and rewrote the record books with 162 three-pointers in a single season. He averaged over 31 points per game in tournament play. Seth Curry didn’t disappoint, either.
KEEP READING: Top College Basketball Teammates Who Played Together in the NBA
After starting at Liberty, he transferred to Duke, where he became a key piece of Coach K’s squad and earned First Team All-ACC honors. By the time he left, he had over 2,000 points across both schools.
Together, they’ve scored more than 7,000 college points, worn iconic jerseys, and transformed the three-pointer into a family heirloom.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
