“The Next Generation: NBA Sons Follow in Fathers’ Footsteps at Nike Hoop Summit”

October 29, 2003 was a special day.

The No. 1 pick in 2003, LeBron James, played for the first time as a rookie, representing the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Sacramento Kings. That night, the Kings’ Peja Stojakovic scored the game’s highest score, while Michael Stewart was sidelined by the coach’s decision and teammate Dajuan Wagner was out due to injury.

Pulling the time back to the present, a wonderful fate brought these 4 players together again. This year’s NIKE Basketball Summit was held at the Moda Center. Coincidentally, the sons of the above four players including Bronny James, Andrej Stojakovic, Sean Stewart and DJ Wagner are all involved.

“My dad told me that. I’m sure other people would be crazy if they found out. We’re their kids and we’re basketball players. To think we’re going through what they’ve been through. Excited,” said DJ Wagner.

Bronny James said: “This will definitely be part of history. It’s been a great experience for me and I’m so happy to be part of this quartet.”

The annual Nike Hoop Summit pits rising high school stars from stateside America against top young international players from around the world. The headlines at the time focused on LeBron’s son, Bronny, as he was the only Team USA player still considering his future (later announced he was joining USC).

“At the end of the day, it’s my decision. I’m going to make the right decision for myself,” Bronny said.

While LeBron is best known for his illustrious NBA career, his international basketball resume is also notable. In addition to being the 2012 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year, he also won gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the 2007 Americas Championships. At the same time, he is the historical assist leader of the American men’s basketball team and one of the only three men’s basketball players who have participated in three Olympic Games.

Bronny James is a late bloomer who climbed to No. 28 on the 2023 ESPN Top 100 rankings. Like his father, the 18-year-old wears the number 6 jersey. As a father, LeBron of course attended the feast of young players. Of course, many people’s eyes are on their father and son.

“My dad was very proud, he said a lot of encouraging words, let me play my game and be myself.” Bronny James said of playing for the US team.

According to a NIKE representative, Bronny James gave his first major media interview after training with the US team. While the former Sierra Canyon guard has a super famous father and has made millions using his name, image and likeness and has 7 million followers on Instagram, Andrej Stojakovic is still impressed by Bronny’s humility.

“A lot of people ask me what kind of guy he is because a lot of people watching at training camp didn’t get a chance to talk to him like the players did, but we were there for him all the time. It was a relief to see him not putting on airs.” Tone. He was just being himself, trying to focus on getting the job done, trying to play with everyone who came to see us,” Andrej Stojakovic said.

A three-time NBA All-Star, Peja Stojakovic ranks ninth in league history in 3-pointers made (1,760) during his 13-year career. The Serb had played professionally in Greece, where he met his wife Aleka and was given a Greek passport.

The Peja family has three children. The oldest is Andrej, who was born in Thessaloniki, Greece in 2004 and played last season at Jesuit High School near Sacramento. Andrej Stojakovic signed with Stanford after being ranked No. 23 in ESPN 2023. He will represent his native Greece on the World Team during the NIKE Summit.

While Andrej Stojakovic says he and his four other NBA sons were too young to see their father play in the league, the lineage undoubtedly had a major impact on their basketball success and helped them face challenges.

“Their experience that they can teach us through their careers is our greatest strength. But at the same time, we are all under a lot of pressure. We just want to make a name for ourselves. Try to get out of their shadow and be our own. players,” Andrej Stojakovic said.

ESPN.com ranks DJ Wagner as the No. 2 player in the Class of 2023 behind fellow Kentucky prospect Justin Edwards, who also played for the US at Hoop Summit. Wagner earned MVP honors after scoring 19 points in the March 28 McDonald’s All-American Game.