Fathers and Sons of the NBL

To celebrate Fathers Day in 2020, we've compiled a list of the father/son playing combinations throughout NBL history.

With a new crop of rookies coming in, the likes of Josh Giddey (son of Warrick Giddey), Tanner Krebs (son of Dan Krebs) and Keanu Pinder (son of Tiny Pinder) will join the previous 29 father/son combinations who have played in the NBL.

Last season, NBL20 saw a record 11 players on court who had followed in their father's footsteps.

Father / Son Playing Combinations in NBL History:

Rick Longley (8 for Wildcats) – Luc Longley (2 for Wildcats), & Griffin (3 for Wildcats)

Alan Black (244 for Spectres and Wildcats) – Stephen Black (297 for Wildcats, Bullets and Taipans)

Cal Bruton (250 for Bullets, Cats, Wildcats and Devils) – CJ Bruton (516 for Wildcats, Bullets, Hawks, Cannons, Kings and Breakers)

Arthur Newley (21 for Eagles) – Brad Newley (216 for Crocs and Kings)

Darryl McDonald (486 for Giants, Titans, Vic Giants and Tigers) – Derrick (6 for Tigers) & Durell (1 for United)

Robbie Cadee (100 for Saints and Bruins) – Jason Cadee (278 for Blaze, 36ers, Kings and Bullets)

Steve Breheny (148 for Saints, Cats and Giants) – Shane Breheny (1 for 36ers)

Brendan Joyce (289 for Spectres, Saints and Bullets) – Daniel Joyce (103 for Hawks, Blaze and Kings)

Mark Wright (82 for Giants) – Marcus Wright (39 for Titans and Vic Giants)

Craig Herbert (102 for Cats) – Nathan Herbert (120 for Dragons and 36ers)

Benny Lewis (250 for Hawks, Giants and Saints) – Bennie Lewis (97 for Tigers)

Al Westover (48 for Tigers and Cats) – Boden Westover (15 for Tigers)

Ron Vanderjagt (30 for Falcons) – Greg Vanderjagt (243 for Crocs and Blaze)

Mike Ellis (302 for Wildcats) – Cody Ellis (127 for Kings and Hawks)

Eric Cooks (119 for Hawks) – Dominique Cooks (11 for Hawks) and Xavier (20 for Kings)

Mike Kenny (24 for Supersonics and Kings) – Scott Kenny (15 for Crocs)

Bruce Fitzgerald (67 for Bullets) - John Fitzgerald (29 for Slingers)

Shane Froling (271 for Spectres, Devils, Bullets and Suns) – Harry Froling (64 for Crocs and 36ers) & Sam (17 for Hawks)

Wayne Larkins (347 for Saints, Spectres, Supercats, Bullets and Rollers) – Nelson Larkins (19 for 36ers)

Brad Pineau (52 for Warriors and Tigers) – Dane Pineau (78 for Kings and Phoenix)

Wayne McDaniel (288 for 36ers, Cats, Falcons and Devils) - Sam McDaniel (31 for United)

Everette Stephens (77 for Falcons and Supercats)  - Kendall Stephens (26 for Phoenix)

Frank Goldfinch (79 for Bullets and Falcons) – Cameron Goldfinch (3 for Bullets)

Nigel Purchase (250 for Tigers and Bullets) - Jack Purchase (3 for United)

Tad Dufelmeier senior (178 for Cannons and Saints) and Tad Dufelmeier junior (5 for Taipans)

Total of 29 father/sons that have both played in the NBL

The ties between father and son extend to the sideline, where a number of coaches and their sons have played a part in the NBL's history.

Coaching Fathers / Playing Sons:

David Lindstrom - Travis Lindstrom
Lindsay Gaze – Andrew Gaze
Brian Kerle – Simon Kerle
Barry Barnes – Cameron Barnes/ Brad Barnes
Gordon Ellis – Mike Ellis / Ian Ellis
Tony Gaze – Mark Gaze / Peter Gaze
Bill Tomlinson – Nate Tomlinson

John Gardiner (first ever NBL commissioner and fill in Wildcats coach) - Ryan Gardiner

Referee Father/Playing son:

Mal Cooper – Luke Cooper

Honourable mentions include Callum Dalton, son of Mark Dalton who is yet to hit the court having suited up 23 times for the Brisbane Bullets.

In addition to this, it would be hard not to mention the trio of Australians in the NBA currently whose fathers starred in the NBL:

• Ben Simmons, son of Dave Simmons (338 games for Tigers, Falcons, Kings and Cannons)
• Jonah Bolden, son of Bruce Bolden (480 games for Spectres, Magic, Kings and Razorbacks)
• Dante Exum, son of Cecil Exum (197 games for Giants, Tigers and Supercats)

Not to mention Alanna Smith, daughter of Jason Smith who is currently plying her trade in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury along with Keely and Alicia Froling, daughter of Shane and Jenny Froling. Keely is currently with the WNBL's Canberra Capitals and Alicia at SMU (NCAA).

The WNBL ties continue with Shane Heal's daughter Shyla Heal (Bendigo Spirit), Paul Maley's daughter Anneli Maley (Southside Flyers), Sara Blicavs who is the daughter of Andris Blicavs and Kate Gaze, daughter of Mark Gaze (182 NBL games).