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The NBA is filled with brothers, and one of the least popular pairs is Tobias Harris and Channing Frye. It is common for younger siblings and cousins to follow in the footsteps of their elder relatives who made it to the NBA. Most NBA athletes have a genetic advantage over the rest of the crowd, and if a family member hits the genetic lottery, then the rest of the blood relatives want to give it a shot as well.
Some of the most famous brother duos in the league are the Currys, the Antetokounmpos, the Holidays, the Balls, the Morrises, and the Lopezes, to name a few. However, one pair doesn't make the spotlight because they don't share the same last name, Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris and retired champion Channing Frye. Initially, most fans and reporters weren't even aware that the two were related.
How are Tobias Harris and Channing Frye related?
![Tobias Harris (right) with his family [Source: FOX Sports]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/12/2d571-16714738734869-1920.jpg)
Tobias Harris and Channing Frye are maternal first cousins (i.e., their mothers are sisters). This would explain why they don't share the same last name. In 2015, both mourned the death of their grandfather, Lt. Col. John Mulzac, who unfortunately passed away due to a stroke.
After learning about his passing, Harris spoke about what his grandfather meant to him and Frye, saying:
"He meant a lot to me as a kid, always being around him and the leader that he was. It was an upsetting day for me and upsetting for Channing also because it was his grandfather also. For something like that to happen, it broke my heart."
He called his grandfather "Daddy John," and he dedicated his 2015-16 season to his memory, per his Instagram. Frye and Harris mentioned that their grandfather would proudly watch their games on television.
Despite being cousins in the NBA, Frye and Harris apparently weren't as close in the beginning. They have a nine-year age gap, and Frye was naturally closer to Harris' elder brother. Channing Frye was drafted as the eighth overall pick in 2005, whereas Harris was picked 19th overall in 2011.
They briefly did play together, though. They were teammates on the Orlando Magic from 2014-2016. Harris played for the Magic beginning in 2012, and the team acquired Frye in the 2014 offseason. Funnily, they were both traded midway through the 2016 season.
The two cousins immediately faced each other in the 2016 NBA playoffs. Frye was part of the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers, and Harris joined the eighth-seeded Detroit Pistons. The Pistons, however, won the regular-season finale over the Cavs, and Tobias Harris spoke about his cousin before the postseason began, saying:
"We always looking out for each other — on and off the court. We’re family, so family is going to be there and look out for each other. When I got traded, he was one of the first to call me and wished me the best…We have a difference in age, but we were still family. Obviously, I grew up watching him play a lot…He’s definitely a great older cousin and role model for me growing up."
The two teams faced off in the first round that year, and the Cavs swept the Pistons. The two have apparently gotten closer since.
When Harris was traded from the Pistons to the LA Clippers in 2017, one of the first calls he received was from Frye, who was traded to the crosstown rivals, the LA Lakers, at the same time. As reported by ClutchPoints' Tomer Azarly, Tobias Harris discussed reuniting with his cousin in Los Angeles:
"It's cool. He's my cousin, first cousin. We're like staying at the same place right now, same hotel. So, we had lunch the other day, just catching up with him…You know, we're back together a little bit. It's always good to have some extra family. Yeah, that's family. Most of the time, we are talking about basketball, talking about different things, family, stuff like that…when I first got traded here, he called me and was basically telling me how he feels, like this situation could be really different."
Channing Frye announced his retirement in 2019, and Tobias Harris is currently lacing up for the 76ers.
Guess the Lakers players!
