It is a great achievement for even one person from a family to play in a professional sports league like the NBA or WNBA. Getting a shot in some of the biggest sports leagues in the world often requires sacrifice and dedication.
Most athletes who make it to the big leagues start at a young age and continue working on their craft until they reach the pinnacle of their sport. While rare, there have been basketball families that have seen their children play in both the NBA and WNBA.
Today, we will look at 10 such sibling duos.
Sibling Duos to Play in Both the NBA and WNBA
1) Angel and Julian Reese
Angel Reese has been one of the most talked-about players in women’s basketball since her title run with the LSU Tigers against Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes. Her fame has only grown since she arrived in the WNBA in 2024. Over the past two seasons, she has played 64 games, averaging 14.1 points and 12.9 rebounds per game.
Her brother, Julian Reese, is also a professional basketball player. Julian plays for the Washington Wizards in the NBA. He made his debut last season, averaging 11.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in 13 appearances.
2) Tidjane and Janelle Salaun
Janelle Salaun became a fan favorite in Golden State with her performances for the Valkyries last season. Despite being undrafted, she averaged 11.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in her rookie year. Her brother, Tidjane Salaun, plays in the NBA.
Tidjane was the No. 6 pick in 2024, drafted by the Charlotte Hornets. He has struggled to find his footing in the league, averaging 5.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in 97 games.
3) Te’a and Sharife Cooper
Te’a Cooper and her brother Sharife Cooper have played in the WNBA and NBA, respectively. However, the siblings have struggled to make an impact at the highest level. She was drafted in 2020 by the Los Angeles Sparks and played 51 games, averaging 8.2 points and 1.4 rebounds. Te’a last played in the league in 2021.
Meanwhile, Sharife Cooper was picked at No. 48 in 2021 and only made 13 appearances in his rookie year. However, he got another shot last season, making 41 appearances for the Washington Wizards.
4) Amir and Nia Coffey
Amir and Nia Coffey have had lengthy stints in their respective leagues, although it is worth noting that the siblings have both played bench roles throughout their careers.
Nia has played for the Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Phoenix Mercury, and Los Angeles Sparks, averaging 4.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 261 career games.
Meanwhile, Amir has played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, recording 6.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in 369 career games.
5) TJ and Megan McConnell
TJ McConnell has enjoyed an 11-season career in the NBA despite going undrafted in 2015. The guard has averaged 7.8 points and 5.0 assists for his career, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers.
Meanwhile, his sister, Megan McConnell, made her WNBA debut for the Phoenix Mercury last season. She was injured after 13 minutes on the court and missed the rest of the Mercury’s campaign. McConnell has signed a training camp contract with the Indiana Fever this summer.
6) Mark and Elizabeth Williams
Mark Williams was drafted No. 15 by the Charlotte Hornets in 2022. He has since played 166 games for the Hornets and the Phoenix Suns, averaging 12.0 points and 8.5 rebounds for his career.
His sister, Elizabeth Williams, has been a professional for a longer period, playing 11 seasons in the WNBA for the Connecticut Sun, Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky. She has earned two All-Defensive team selections in her career, averaging 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 330 games.
7) JaVale and Imani McGee
Three-time NBA champion Javale McGee was the No. 18 pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Starting his career with the Washington Wizards, he went on to play for the Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings.
McGee played 909 games in the NBA, averaging 7.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, shooting 57.8% for his career.
His sister, Imani McGee, had a short-lived WNBA career, spending four seasons playing for the Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings. She played 121 games, recording 4.4 points and 4.2 rebounds. Imani last played in 2019.
8) Rudy and Marta Fernandez
Rudy Fernandez was the No. 24 pick in 2007 and went on to play four seasons in the NBA for the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets. He made 249 appearances, averaging 8.6 points, shooting 44.0%.
On the other hand, Marta Fernandez was in the WNBA for one season, playing for the Los Angeles Sparks. She averaged 8.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game and was selected to the All-Rookie team.
9) Candace and Anthony Parker
Candace Parker is widely considered to be one of the best players to ever play in the WNBA. She won three championships with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and the Las Vegas Aces. She is also a two-time MVP and became the only player to win the Rookie of the Year award and MVP in the same season.
Over a 16-season career, Parker averaged 16.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, shooting 47.9% and 33.3% from 3-point range. She finished her career with a place in the top-10 all-time lists for points, rebounds, assists and blocks.
Her older brother, Anthony Parker, was also a professional basketball player, playing eight seasons in the NBA.
Parker made 494 appearances playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 9.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 44.4%.
10) Iliana and Rayan Rupert
Iliana Rupert was the No. 12 pick in the 2021 WNBA draft, selected by the Las Vegas Aces. She has played 58 games for her career, averaging 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
Her brother, Rayan Rupert, is also pretty young in his NBA career. He was drafted with the No. 43 pick in 2023 and has since played 155 games for the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies. Rupert averages 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.
Honorable mention: Reggie and Cheryl Miller
Another sibling duo that deserves a mention in this list is Reggie and Cheryl Miller. Reggie Miller is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He spent 18 seasons with the Indiana Pacers, averaging 18.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, shooting 47.1% and 39.5% from 3-point range.
Meanwhile, Cheryl Miller is widely considered one of the best players in women’s basketball. She led the USC Trojans to back-to-back NCAA titles and won two Most Outstanding Player awards, three Naismith Awards and two WBCA Player of the Year awards.
Miller played 128 games for the Trojans, averaging 23.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Miller never played in the WNBA, as the league did not exist when she was active.
Read More: WNBA Draft Winners and Losers: Who Maximized Their Chances in 2026?
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball and college baseball.
