Bronny James is carving 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 collegiately before embarking upon his professional career. But like his father, Bronny James will participate in the McDonald’s All-American Game to put a bow on the final year of his high school career.
In addition to the incredible list of participants that have played in the prestigious McDonald’s game, Bronny James and LeBron James are now a part of an even more exclusive list of father-son duos to grace one of high school basketball’s biggest stages.
Also joining the list in 2023 is Kentucky commit D.J. Wagner, who is actually a third-generation McDonald’s All-American, following the footsteps of his father, Dajuan and grandfather, Milt.
Ahead of this year’s event, take a look back at the full list of father-son duos that have played in the McDonald’s American Game, in order of 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 D.J. Wagner are the eighth and ninth players to complete father-son duos in the McDonald’s All-American Game. While their fathers are two years apart in age, LeBron James and Dajuan Wagner shared the floor for 52 games over two seasons with the Cavaliers.
| Father | Class | Son | Class |
| LeBron James | 2003 | Bronny James | 2023 |
| Dajuan Wagner | 2001 | D.J Wagner | 2023 |
| Gary Springer | 1980 | Jaden Springer | 2020 |
| Charles O’Bannon | 1993 | Chuck O’Bannon Jr. | 2017 |
| Rick Brunson | 1991 | Jalen Brunson | 2015 |
| James Blackmon | 1983 | James Blackmon Jr. | 2014 |
| Rickie Winslow | 1983 | Justise Winslow | 2014 |
| Doc Rivers | 1980 | Austin Rivers | 2011 |
| Milt Wagner | 1981 | Dajuan Wagner | 2001 |
2023 marks just the second time that two second-generation McDonald’s All-Americans play in the same game, the first time being 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, D.J. is the first third-generation McDonald’s All-American.
With players like Cameron Boozer — the son of Carlos that was named Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year as a high school sophomore — there are sure to be more second-generation McDonald’s All-Americans to come.
When is the McDonald’s All-American Game?
- Date: Tuesday, March 28
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. PT
The 2023 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game is scheduled to tip off around 9:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 28 on ESPN. The Girls’ Game will take place before the Boys’ Game on ESPN2, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Both games will be played at the Toyota Center, home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets.