There’s no official stat for “best family man,” but some NBA players are consistently described by teammates, media profiles, and their own actions as putting their partners and kids at the center of their lives. Below are ten current and former players whose public stories reflect that family-first approach—plus a few details that make each one memorable.
Stephen Curry — Building a real partnership
Stephen Curry’s relationship with Ayesha Curry is often held up as a rare example of two people growing together in public without turning their marriage into a brand gimmick. They met as teens through a church youth group and married in 2011, then built a busy life that still reads “home-centered” in how they talk about it. The Currys have four children—Riley, Ryan, Canon, and Caius—and Curry has repeatedly framed fatherhood as a responsibility he takes more seriously than any trophy.
LeBron James — The high school sweetheart story that lasted
LeBron and Savannah James have been together since their teenage years, and the consistency of that relationship is part of why fans see him as unusually grounded for a megastar. They married in 2013 and share three kids: LeBron “Bronny” Jr., Bryce, and Zhuri. One of the most telling “family guy” details is how often he shows up publicly as Dad first—celebrating their milestones and making room for their paths (including Bronny’s basketball journey).
Giannis Antetokounmpo — Private, protective, and proudly present
Giannis keeps much of his family life private, but what comes through in interviews is a strong protector/provider mindset that isn’t performative. He and Mariah Riddlesprigger (now his wife) share four children—Liam, Maverick, Eva, and Aria—and he’s spoken openly about how becoming a father reshaped his priorities. The couple has also tied their family identity to giving back through their foundation work.
Nikola Jokić — A low-drama life built around roots
Jokić is famous for treating basketball like a job and home like the real headline. He married Natalija Jokić in 2020 after dating since their youth in Serbia, and they welcomed their daughter Ognjena in 2021. A charming “family texture” detail is how openly he prioritizes off-season time back in Sombor—where horses, relatives, and routine seem to matter more to him than celebrity.
Jrue Holiday — Showing up when it mattered most
If you want a definition of “family first,” Jrue Holiday’s story is hard to top. He married soccer star Lauren Holiday in 2013, and when she faced a brain tumor diagnosis during pregnancy, he took a leave of absence to support her. They now have two children, and their relationship is frequently described as a true partnership—two elite athletes adapting life around health, parenthood, and faith.
Chris Paul — A long marriage and a philanthropy-minded household
Chris Paul and Jada Paul (née Crawley) have been together since high school and married in 2011. They have two children, Chris Jr. and Camryn, and Paul has often credited his wife for being the stabilizing “rock” of the family through years of travel and pressure. Their family foundation work is also a recurring theme in profiles of the couple, and his recent retirement messaging emphasized being more present at home.
Mike Conley — The steady veteran who talks like a dad first
Mike Conley has long had a “calm leader” reputation, and his family life matches it. He and his wife Mary have three sons—Noah, Myles, and Elijah—and Conley has spoken about the emotional cost of NBA life, including stretches where the schedule left Mary carrying the home front with three little kids. During the 2020 bubble era, the family’s third child was born amid complicated travel and quarantine constraints—an episode that highlighted how real the trade-offs are.
Al Horford — A big, joyful family culture
Al Horford and his wife Amelia Vega (a former Miss Universe) are one of the league’s most visibly “family-forward” couples. Married in 2011, they share five children—Ean, Alía, Ava, Nova, and Mila—and Vega frequently describes motherhood as her main role, even alongside her public career. Horford’s on-court longevity is impressive, but it’s the off-court steadiness—showing up consistently as a husband and father—that keeps him on “best family men” lists.
Pau Gasol — Turning friendship, loss, and fatherhood into legacy
Pau Gasol’s devotion to family shows up in the way he honors relationships. He married Cat McDonnell, and by 2024 they were preparing to welcome their third child; their older two are Elisabet Gianna and Max. Elisabet’s name is a tribute to Gianna Bryant, reflecting Gasol’s close bond with Kobe and the Bryant family—Vanessa Bryant is even her godmother. It’s a rare example of grief and loyalty folding into a new family story.
David Robinson — The “Admiral” who built a family and a school
David Robinson has been described for decades as a quiet model of leadership, and his personal life fits that profile. He married Valerie Hoggatt in 1991 and they have three sons. Beyond the household, the Robinsons’ standout “family values” fact is their long-term investment in education philanthropy, including founding the Carver Academy in San Antonio—an effort that’s been recognized by the NBA through community awards tied to his name.
Of course, being a “family man” doesn’t mean a life without mistakes or hard seasons; it means the pattern, over time, points back to commitment and care. The details above are limited to what these players have chosen to share publicly, and that privacy deserves respect. Consistency matters more than grand gestures—both on the court and at home, every season.
If you’re reading this because you’re trying to build something stable yourself—whether you meet people through friends, work, or an online dating service—the throughline these players share is surprisingly simple: they show up, they protect the relationship from chaos, and they treat family as a daily practice rather than a highlight reel.
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