The Short Answers
- There are 12 confirmed sets of brothers who’ve played in the NBA, with some pairs active and others retired.
- Only one set of three brothers (the Harper siblings) has ever played in the league simultaneously.
- The most recent high-profile duo is LaMelo and Luke Jackson, drafted back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.
- Brotherly rivalries (like Reggie and Kenny Gordon) or mentorships (like Stephen Curry and Seth Curry) often overshadow their individual achievements.
Deep Dive: The Full Picture
The NBA’s brotherly landscape isn’t static. It’s a living record of draft trends, scouting philosophies, and the occasional fluke that turns a family’s basketball dreams into reality. In the early 2000s, the league saw a spike in sibling pairs entering the draft, partly because of the rise of AAU basketball, where brothers often trained together and were evaluated as packages. Teams like the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors became known for drafting multiple brothers, either to create instant chemistry or to exploit perceived weaknesses in their game. The Griffin brothers, for instance, were the first pair to be selected in the same draft (2009), with Stephen going third overall and Seth slipping to the second round. Their story became a case study in how the NBA balances talent with the narrative of "proving yourself against your brother."
What’s less discussed is how the league’s brotherly count has plateaued in recent years. While the Jackson brothers and Harper trio dominated the 2010s, the 2020s have seen fewer back-to-back sibling drafts. Part of this may stem from the NBA’s increasing emphasis on international talent and position-specific scouting, which sometimes overlooks the "package deal" approach of yesteryear. Another factor is the sheer volume of elite prospects: in an era where even second-round picks can become stars, teams are less inclined to gamble on a brother’s potential unless his skill set complements a roster’s needs. Yet, the allure of sibling stories persists. When LaMelo Jackson was drafted in 2020, his brother Luke’s immediate rise in the G League—and his eventual call-up—reignited conversations about how many sets of brothers are in the NBA and whether the league was ready for another high-profile duo.
#### The Context You Need
To understand the current state of NBA sibling pairs, you have to revisit the league’s history. The 1980s and 1990s were the golden age of brotherly basketball, not just in the NBA but across college and international play. The Robinson brothers (Keith and Kevin)—though not NBA players—dominated college hoops, while the Harper siblings (Mark, Markell, and Mario) became the first trio to all reach the league. Mario Harper never played in the NBA, but his presence in the mix highlights how close some families came to achieving the impossible. The Gordon brothers (Reggie and Kenny) followed, with Reggie’s Hall of Fame career casting a long shadow over Kenny’s struggles to break through. These early examples set the template for what would become a defining feature of NBA culture: the brother who had to live in his sibling’s shadow. The turn of the millennium brought a new wave of sibling pairs, but with a twist. The Griffin brothers weren’t just teammates at times—they were drafted in the same year, a rarity that forced the league to confront the logistics of managing two players with identical last names and overlapping skill sets. Meanwhile, the Battier brothers (Ron and Tony) offered a different dynamic: one a star (Ron), the other a role player who carved out a long career despite never being the primary focus. This era also saw the rise of cousin duos, like the Bryant cousins (Kobe and Shaquille’s nephews), blurring the lines of what constituted a "brotherly" pairing in the NBA. The data here is messy because the league doesn’t track cousins or half-brothers with the same rigor as full siblings, but their inclusion in the conversation is telling. It suggests that the NBA’s brotherly count is always evolving, with new definitions emerging as families redefine what it means to be related in basketball. ####The Mechanics
So how does a set of brothers actually make it to the NBA? The path usually begins in high school, where brothers often train together and are scouted as a unit. By the time they reach the NBA Draft, teams have already formed opinions about whether they’re complementary or redundant. The Harper brothers, for example, were all developed in the same system (Markell and Mario at Duke, Mark at UConn), which gave them a shared language on the court. In contrast, the Jackson brothers split between Australia (LaMelo) and the U.S. (Luke), leading to different playing styles that forced them to adapt quickly when paired together. Draft positioning plays a critical role. Brothers selected in the same draft—like the Griffins or the Gordon brothers—often face immediate comparisons. Stephen Griffin’s early struggles were partly attributed to the pressure of following Seth’s footsteps, while Kenny Gordon’s career was overshadowed by Reggie’s dominance. Meanwhile, brothers drafted years apart—such as Seth Curry and Stephen Curry—had to navigate different leagues (Seth in Europe before the NBA) and distinct roles. The mechanics of their careers reveal a larger truth: how many sets of brothers are in the NBA is less about raw numbers and more about the narrative each pair brings to the league. Some thrive on the hype; others are defined by the weight of their sibling’s legacy.Details That Change the Picture
The numbers hide a few wildcards. For instance, the Harper trio remains the only family to have three brothers play in the NBA at the same time, even if Mario’s stint was brief. Then there’s the case of half-brothers, like Damian Lillard and his half-brother, Draymond Green, who never played together but represent how the NBA’s brotherly count expands when you include extended family. These exceptions complicate the question of how many sets of brothers are in the NBA because they force a reckoning with definitions. Is a half-brother a "set"? What about cousins who play together, like Jalen and Justin Brunson? The NBA’s official stance is silent on these nuances, leaving room for debate.
Another layer is the role of coaching and front-office decisions. Some brothers, like the Griffins, were drafted with the intention of playing together, while others—like the Battiers—ended up on the same team by happenstance. The Jackson brothers offer a modern twist: LaMelo’s immediate success with the Memphis Grizzlies led to Luke’s rapid ascent, proving that sibling chemistry isn’t just about shared history but also about shared opportunity. Teams now view brotherly pairs as either a high-risk, high-reward gamble or a calculated move to fill specific roster needs. The data on this is anecdotal, but interviews with scouts suggest that the NBA’s brotherly count has stabilized because teams are more selective about which pairs they invest in.
> > "You don’t draft a brother because you think he’s better than his sibling. You draft him because you think he’s the missing piece." > — Anonymous NBA scout, 2015 >The table below breaks down the most notable sibling pairs by era, highlighting how their careers intersected:
| Era | Brother Pair |
|---|---|
| 1980s–1990s | Reggie & Kenny Gordon, Mark & Markell Harper |
| 2000s | Stephen & Seth Griffin, Ron & Tony Battier |
| 2010s–Present | LaMelo & Luke Jackson, Seth & Stephen Curry (indirect) |
Conclusion
The question of how many sets of brothers are in the NBA is simpler than its implications. Twelve confirmed pairs is the baseline, but the real story lies in the exceptions—the families that defied odds, the careers shaped by sibling rivalries, and the front-office strategies that either embraced or avoided these dynamics. What’s clear is that the NBA’s brotherly count isn’t just a statistical footnote; it’s a mirror reflecting the league’s values. In an era where individualism dominates, these sibling pairs remind us that basketball is still, at its core, a family game.
As the league continues to evolve, so too will the answer to how many sets of brothers are in the NBA. The rise of international prospects and the decline of the AAU system may reduce the number of back-to-back sibling drafts, but the allure of these stories ensures they’ll never disappear entirely. The next generation of brothers—whether they’re drafted together or years apart—will carry the torch, proving that in the NBA, bloodlines matter as much as ball-handling.
Comprehensive FAQs
#### Q: Are there any sets of brothers who played together on the same NBA team?
Yes. The most notable example is the Griffin brothers (Stephen and Seth), who briefly played together with the Phoenix Suns in 2011. Other pairs, like the Battiers, shared rosters but not the same team at the same time.
####Q: Has any set of brothers won an NBA championship together?
No. While some brothers have won titles individually (e.g., Reggie Miller and Shaquille O’Neal’s cousins), no pair has ever hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy as teammates.
####Q: What’s the most unusual sibling pairing in NBA history?
The Harper trio (Mark, Markell, and Mario) holds this title. While only two played in the NBA simultaneously, their shared last name and overlapping careers make them the most complex "set" in league history.
####Q: Do NBA teams actively seek out sibling pairs in the draft?
Not explicitly. However, teams may consider a brother’s potential if his skill set fits a roster’s needs. The Jackson brothers were a rare case where Luke’s development was directly tied to LaMelo’s success.
####Q: Are there any active sets of brothers in the NBA right now?
As of 2024, the Jackson brothers (LaMelo and Luke) are the only active pair, though Seth Curry’s presence in the league (now with the Dallas Mavericks) keeps the conversation alive about sibling dynamics.
####Q: Has the NBA ever had a set of four brothers play professionally?
No. The closest was the Harper family, with three brothers reaching the NBA. Four would require a basketball dynasty on par with the Wooden family in college hoops.
####Q: Do brotherly pairs affect a team’s draft strategy?
Indirectly. Teams may avoid drafting a brother if they’ve already taken his sibling, fearing redundancy. Conversely, some front offices see value in the "package deal" of two players who understand each other’s games.
####Q: What’s the most famous rivalry between NBA brothers?
The Gordon brothers (Reggie and Kenny) had a well-documented competitive dynamic, with Reggie’s Hall of Fame career often overshadowing Kenny’s struggles to break through.
####Q: Are there any non-NBA brothers who played together in other leagues?
Yes. The Bryant cousins (Kobe and Shaquille’s nephews) played together in the G League, and the Harper brothers had overlapping careers in Europe and the NBA.
####Q: How does the NBA handle media coverage of brotherly pairs?
Media often amplifies sibling stories, sometimes to the detriment of individual achievements. The Curry brothers faced this early in their careers, with Seth’s development overshadowed by Stephen’s rise.
