Father-son duos in the McDonald’s All-American Game: LeBron and Bronny James headline full list
Bronny James is forging his own path, but as he continues his journey as an NBA hopeful, the 18-year-old is following in some of his father’s footsteps.
Unlike his father, Bronny James reportedly plans to play in college before turning pro. But like his father, Bronny James will compete in the McDonald’s All-American Game to complete the final year of his high school career.
Adding to the incredible roster of contestants who played at the prestigious McDonald’s game, Bronny James and LeBron James are now part of an even more exclusive roster of father-son duos who will grace one of high school basketball’s greatest stages.
Also new to the 2023 list is Kentucky native DJ Wagner, actually a third-generation McDonald’s All-American, following in the footsteps of his father Dajuan and grandfather Milt.
Ahead of this year’s event, take a look back at the complete list of father-son duos who played the McDonald’s American Game, ranked by recency.
MORE: Watch the McDonald’s All-American Game with Sling TV
Father-son duos in the McDonald’s All-American Game
Bronny James and DJ Wagner are the eighth and ninth players to complete the father-son duo in the McDonald’s All-American Game. While their fathers are two years apart, LeBron James and Dajuan Wagner shared the floor for 52 games over two seasons with the Cavaliers.
| Father | Class | Son | Class |
| Lebron James | 2003 | Bronnie James | 2023 |
| Dajuan Wagner | 2001 | DJ Wagner | 2023 |
| Garry Springer | 1980 | Jade Springer | 2020 |
| Charles O’Bannon | 1993 | Chuck O’Bannon Jr. | 2017 |
| Rick Brunson | 1991 | Jalen Brunson | 2015 |
| James Blackmon | 1983 | James Blackmon Jr. | 2014 |
| Ricky Winslow | 1983 | Justify Winslow | 2014 |
| Doc Rivers | 1980 | Austin Rivers | 2011 |
| Milt Wagner | 1981 | Dajuan Wagner | 2001 |
2023 marks only the second time two second-generation McDonald’s All-Americans have played in the same game, the first time in 2014 when James Blackmon Jr. and Justise Winslow were teammates. In 1983, Rickie Winslow and James Blackmon Sr. were teammates in the McDonald’s game.
The game has become a family event for the Wagners – Dajuan became the first second-generation McDonald’s All-American in 2001 and 22 years later DJ is the first third-generation McDonald’s All-American.
With players like Cameron Boozer – that was Carlos’ son Named Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year as a sophomore in high school—there are bound to be more second-generation McDonald’s All-Americans to come.
When is the McDonald’s All-American Game?
- Date: Tuesday, March 28th
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. PT
The 2023 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game is scheduled to begin Tuesday, March 28 at approximately 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Girls’ Game precedes the Boys’ Game on ESPN2 and begins at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Both games will be played at the Toyota Center, home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets.