The Father’s Day wishes flooded Instagram this Sunday, and the NBA community was not one to lag behind. From Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal to Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade, multiple legends of the game received heartfelt messages from their loved ones. While Shaq received the most wishes, Vanessa Bryant’s post on the special occasion had fans getting emotional.

Shaq’s eldest son, Shareef O’Neal, shared a series of photos on his Instagram stories, highlighting some of the father-son duo’s cherished moments together. The 4x NBA champ’s youngest daughter, Me’Arah O’Neal, also shared a photo with her father, captioning it “happy fathers day pops”. Meanwhile, Shaqir O’Neal and Shaq’s firstborn, Taahirah O’Neal, had a similar message for their father. Although Shaq separated from his ex-wife Shaunie in 2011, he continues co-parenting his children on a cordial bond.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan also did not stay deprived of the wishes on the special day. The 6x NBA champ is a father of 5 — three from his first marriage and twin daughters from his second marriage. His eldest daughter, Jasmine, posted some photos, which also featured MJ’s grandson, Rakeem Michael Christmas. “My Main Man & 100Grand(pa)… Happy Father’s Day Daddyo! We Love You,” read the caption to the post.

MJ’s son Marcus also extended his wishes through a photo featuring his other two siblings and Mike himself. “Happy father’s day dad… We love you… Crack the @cincoro extra anejo open and take a shot for us,” he wrote.

Next on the list to be showered with love and affection was the late Kobe Bryant. The 5x NBA champ was as good a father as he was a player and made the term “girl dad” quite popular. A proud father of 4 daughters — Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri — he once said, “I would have five more girls if I could. I’m a girl dad.” His eldest daughter, Natalia Bryant, shared a childhood photo with her father, as she wrote, “Happy Father’s Day Daddy”. Apart from this, Vanessa Bryant also posted a photo featuring Kobe with all his 4 daughters. “Happy Father’s Day to the best daddy @kobebryant. #MostValuableGirlDad ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #GirlDad,” read the caption.

More Father’s Day wishes from the NBA community

Yet another NBA star known to be one supportive parent — Dwyane Wade — also celebrated the day amid much love. While he himself extended wishes for his father, he also received the compliment of the “best there is,” from his daughter Zaya Wade. Notably, the 3x NBA champ has always backed his daughter through thick and thin. Not only did he shift from Florida to California for Zaya, but he has also shown active involvement in her initiatives. Meanwhile, Gabrielle Union also shared a dedicated IG post wishing her father, her father-in-law, and Wade.

From one supportive father to another, Magic Johnson did not celebrate the day with just his children, but with other fathers as well. “Cookie and I enjoyed an amazing Father’s Day bash at the house with our closest family and friends celebrating some incredible fathers!” he wrote in the caption for the post featuring a series of photos from the celebration. It is worth mentioning his son, EJ Johnson, is not just a TV personality but an LGBTQZIA+ icon. And although he had his initial struggles with it, Magic later accepted his son for who he is.

Some other NBA stars to be showered with love and affection on Father’s Day included Matt Barnes and Pau Gasol. Apart from taking care of Kobe Bryant’s children as his own, as promised by him to his late friend, Gasol has two kids. And his wife Cat Gasol took the opportunity to extend love for her husband on behalf of their two kids. Meanwhile, Barnes’ son, Isaiah Barnes, thanked his father for making him the man he is today. All-in-all, the NBA community celebrated Father’s Day with great fervor and joy.     

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.