The 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament continues Thursday with the Sweet 16. And when the sport’s biggest event continues, there will be many players on the court with ties to the men’s professional sports.
There’s a pipeline of college volleyball players whose dads played in the NFL and NBA. For example, Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Duncan has a daughter, Sidney, who is a middle blocker for No. 5 ranked and 2 seed Stanford Cardinal. Super Bowl champion Joe Jurevicius has two duaghters, Caroline and Ava, who play for the defending champion Penn State Nittany Lions.
In honor of so many dads and daughters with serious athleticism, here are eight NCAA volleyball players who have famous fathers (and some future players to keep an eye on):
1. Sidney Duncan, Stanford, middle blocker
2. Caroline Jurevicius, Penn State, outside hitter
3. Ava Jurevicius, Penn State, defensive specialist
Dad: Joe Jurevicius, NFL, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns — Wide receiver drafted in the first round out of Penn States by the Giants, played 10 seasons in the league, won a Super Bowl with Bucs
4. Alexis Ewing, Penn State, outside hitter
5. Cari Spears, Texas, outside hitter
6. Jackie Taylor, North Carolina, middle blocker
Dad: the late Sean Taylor, NFL, Washington Commanders — Drafted No. 5 overall out of Miami by the now Washington Commanders in 2004, two-time Pro Bowl selection
7. Rylie McGinest, USC, middle blocker
Dad: Willie McGinest, NFL, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns — First round pick, No 4 overall out of USC by the New England Patriots in 1994, played 15 seasons, won three Super Bowls, two-time Pro Bowl selection
8. Carter Booth, Wisconsin, middle blocked
Dad: Calvin Booth, NBA, Washington Wizards and seven other teams — Drafted in the second round, No. 35 overall out of Penn State by the Washington Wizards, played 13 seasons
Potential college volleyball players with famous dads
Daughter, Dad, sport
- Zhuri James, LeBron James, NBA
- Riley Curry, Stephen Curry, NBA
- Myah Favre, Brett Favre, NFL
- Kapri Garnett, Kevin Garnett, NBA
- Laycee McGrady, Tracy McGrady, NBA
- Nylah Bibby, Mike Bibby, NBA
- Marlo and Monroe McGwire, Mark McGwire, MLB
- Hanna McGinest, Willie McGinest, NFL
- Sayge Chandler, Tyson Chandler, NBA