Two things have been pretty prominent and dominant in the world of sports. First, Bronny James’s NBA debut, performance, and criticism. Second, Shedeur Sanders’s fifth round, 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. But what exceeds every claim is the claim of nepotism. Sons of the greatest stars making their way to the league can’t be a coincidence! Can they? Even if talent spoke louder than their last names, it’s worth wondering if the scenario would be any different.

But hey, Bronny and Shedeur ain’t the only ones facing this backlash from the crowd. Scotty Pippen Jr. is the son of 6x NBA champion and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen. He knows what it’s like to be labeled a “nepo baby.” The 24-year-old point guard for the Grizzlies spoke about it on Run It Back. He shared how his famous last name brought both pressure and unfair treatment.

“I think it’s difficult just because people put a perspective on you, on how they think you move and how they think you act, just because of your dad. I feel like we’re sitting there with Deion Sanders and his son, and then LeBron and Bronny,” Pippen Jr. said of the situation.

He further added, “For me, I feel like it was tough just because I feel like I wasn’t getting fair treatment. People kind of overlooked me cause of my dad. I feel like the name might’ve hurt me more than it helped me sometimes. It’s unfair for us, but at the end of the day, I feel like all three kids you named are doing well.”

Everyone comes with a belief that growing up with a famous father, youngsters like Bronny James, Shedeur Sanders, and Scotty Pippen are here to chase legacies. Moreover, they turn into victims of assumptions about themselves because of their father’s achievements. Meanwhile, Pippen Jr. feels he was often overlooked or treated unfairly because of his last name. Despite the pressure, he acknowledges that he, James Jr., and Shedeur are still finding success.

The comparison never leaves their sides, and that could often feel demotivating, thus hampering their overall performance. But the true warriors always rise above the critical eyes. Look at Bronny James, for example. Despite all the backlash, the 20-year-old LA Lakers guard is trying to improve his game! However, expectations are killers in the cases of celebrity kids.

Bronny James and others like him face the intense pressure of burning expectations

Run It Back host Michelle Meadle asked the Memphis Grizzlies guard a simple question, “Do you feel like you’ve put pressure on yourself? Were you able to sort of not do that?” In his most candid way, Scotty Pippen Jr. replied, “I think it’s hard. I feel like everyone puts these expectations on you just because you’re so-and-so’s son. So I don’t think it’s unwarranted, but I feel like you just kind of get used to it.”

Bronny James went 55th in 2024—low, but hey, he’s still LeBron’s kid, so cue the BREAKING NEWS sirens. Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders, once hyped as a No. 1 pick, slid shockingly to the 144th spot in 2025 for the Cleveland Browns. That’s not just a fall—it’s a freefall. Naturally, fans couldn’t resist pitting the sons of kings against each other. Calling out the youngsters for their drafts clearly showed how the fans expected them to ‘do better.’

Well, nepotism might be the buzzword, but pressure is the real villain here. From Bronny to Shedeur to Scotty Jr., these star kids aren’t just playing games—they’re battling shadows. Sure, the last names come loud, but the grind? That’s all theirs. And like it or not, they’re still showing up, rising, and rewriting the script.