We were all in favor of Bam Adebayo stopping mid-televised press conference the other day to answer a call from his mother. The Miami Heat player, who had just defeated the New York Knicks in Game 6, was determined to see his mother despite a news conference.
Why should he, too? His mother used to get up at five in the morning to make him breakfast before school when he was a kid. The two-time All Star has always shown a lot of support for mothers, and after they had lived in a trailer, he bought her a house. The Root chose to recognize the mothers of some of the most well-known talents in the league while the NBA Playoffs are currently underway and Mother’s Day has arrived.
Gloria James
LeBron’s mother has been a staunch supporter of her son since day one. She attended a lot of his games while he was in high school and has always seen courtside throughout his NBA career.
Sonya Curry
Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer (Getty Images)
Sonya Curry was the star parent during the 2008 NCAA Tournament as her talented son was leading the underdog Davidson College to the Elite 8.
Mary Babers-Green
Screenshot: YouTube
Draymond’s mother does not hold back any criticism when it comes to her defensive-minded son. During the 2022 NBA Finals, she called out her son’s poor play, writing in a tweet, “Please ppl stop asking me what’s wrong with Dray… I DONT KNOW! Maybe this is a CLONE! Lmbo WHERE IS THE Draymond that helped get us here!! Hmmmm I have never seen this either!”
Deloris Jordan
Photo: Steve Kagan /Disney General Entertainment Content (Getty Images)
As seen in the 2022 movie Air, Deloris Jordan played a huge role (probably the biggest) in getting her son to sign with the Swoosh.
Wanda Durant
Photo: Christian Petersen (Getty Images)
No player has their mother at more NBA games than Kevin Durant. Nearly every single game, the broadcast will pan to Wanda Durant, sitting courtside, watching her son drop 30 points. The two-time NBA champion showed the ultimate appreciation for his mother during his MVP acceptance speech in 2014, where he famously told her, “You the real MVP.”
Lisa Beverly
Photo: Screenshot
Ever wonder who raised Patrick Beverly, a defensive specialist? Lisa, who is also quite talented, is the one I’m referring about. A few years ago, she won Price is Right, earning more than $40,000.
Pamela McGee
Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank (Getty Images)
The mother of NBA center Javale McGee is actually better than him. Pamela was a trailblazer in the world of women’s basketball. She was on the storied USC women’s teams and won national titles in 1983 and 1984.
Lucille O’Neal
Photo: Slaven Vlasic (Getty Images)
It takes an incredible woman to be the mother of one of the biggest personalities in American sports. Lucille O’Neal continues to do great philantropic work with many of her son’s foundations.
Veronica Antetokounmpo
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez (Getty Images)
Veronica Antetokounmpo isn’t just the mother to NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, but also four other boys who went on to become professional basketball players. Talk about a family full of athletes.
Brandy Cole
Photo: Adam Glanzman (Getty Images)
Jayson Tatum mother is still heavenly involved in her young son’s life. She’s often seen taking care of her grandson, Deuce, as Jayson light’s up the scoreboard in the TD Garden.
Jolinda Wade
Photo: Ronald Martinez (Getty Images)
Jolinda Wade, the mother of Dwyane Wade, is not averse to highlighting her personal hardships. She battled drug addiction up until 1994, when she was detained for having cocaine with the intention of selling it. But she has maintained her sobriety and given her life to God since that time. She currently serves as a pastor in a Chicago church.
Monja Willis
Photo: Allen Berezovsky (Getty Images)
James Harden’s mother, Monja Willis, is frequently in the spotlight to acknowledge her son’s successes, similar to many other parents on this list.
Shannon Horton
Photo: Robin L Marshall (Getty Images)
Always keeping his family close by, Russell Westbrook. The hall of fame point guard’s brother, who is shown in the photo above, frequently hangs out with him. His mother, who was a manager at a juvenile prison facility, may be compared to her in that regard.
Marilyn Blount
Photo: Michael Reaves (Getty Images)
One of the league’s busiest athletes is Bam Adebayo. You’ll get why if you read the account of how his mother, Marilyn Blount, raised him.
Niele Ivey
Photo: Arturo Holmes (Getty Images)
Jaden Ivey was born with a basketball bloodline. The University of Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team is currently led by Niele, his mother. She played in the WNBA for five years prior to that, from 2001 to 2005.
Rhonda Smith-Banchero
Photo: Mat Hayward (Getty Images)
Jaden Ivey’s mother, Rhonda, is also the source of Paolo Banchero’s basketball skills. At the University of Washington (Seattle), where she played collegiate basketball, she amassed the most points ever scored by the institution. She spent some time playing in the WNBA as well.