Sometimes the best victories aren’t your own. Ex-NBA shooting guard Chris Carr knows this better than most—he came heartbreakingly close to dunking glory in 1997, finishing second to Kobe Bryant in the Slam Dunk Contest. Fast forward nearly three decades, and Carr’s getting his own flavor of redemption watching his son Cameron step into the NBA.
On Tuesday’s draft, 21-year-old Cameron went No. 24 to the Los Angeles Lakers, and Chris Carr is still floating. The former Suns and Timberwolves player caught up with reporters at LAX on Friday, eyes still gleaming at the prospect of his Baylor standout following in his professional hoops footsteps. It’s the kind of moment that makes all those early morning gym sessions, all that mentorship, all those years of passing down knowledge finally pay off in the most tangible way possible.
What makes this even sweeter? Cameron’s joining one of the most storied franchises in basketball history. The Lakers aren’t some rebuilding outfit—they’re a destination, a place where legacies are built. Carr understands that weight. He’s been around the game long enough to know his son’s got work ahead, and that’s exactly the mindset he’s instilling. When asked if he’d like to see Cameron win the Slam Dunk Contest to finally bring home the trophy the family never claimed, Carr had the right take: there are bigger fish to fry. Solidifying a role on an NBA roster beats any single-night showcase.
But here’s what’s really remarkable—this wasn’t some sudden breakout. Cameron’s been grinding since he was 2½ years old, tagging along to the gym with his dad, absorbing not just the mechanics but the mentality of professional basketball. That’s nearly two decades of hands-on coaching from someone who’s actually lived it. And the Lakers are already buying in: both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves have already welcomed Cameron to the family, a sign that this kid’s got the right people in his corner.
The question now isn’t whether Cameron will succeed—it’s how high he’ll rise. And somewhere, his dad’s probably got ringside seat for every step of the journey.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.