The Unbreakable Myth: 7 Reasons Why Otto Porter Jr. Is Still Linked To Wilt Chamberlain (And The Reality Of His 2024 Retirement)

The NBA is a league of statistics, dynasties, and, perhaps most famously, persistent urban legends. One of the most enduring and bizarre rumors in recent memory is the alleged familial connection between two players separated by generations of basketball: the legendary Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain and the recently retired NBA champion, Otto Porter Jr. This persistent myth, which continues to circulate across social media and fan forums, is rooted not in a shared statistical anomaly—like a specific, obscure record—but in a striking physical resemblance and the long-ago, infamous claims of the 'Big Dipper' himself. As of late 2025, the story has resurfaced following Porter Jr.'s official retirement, prompting a fresh look at the "Wilt Jr." narrative.

The reality is that while the connection is factually baseless, the story has become an unbreakable piece of NBA folklore, one that Otto Porter Jr. has had to address throughout his entire professional career. This article dives deep into the origins of the rumor, the biographical facts that debunk it, and how a solid role player found himself forever linked to one of basketball's most mythical figures.

Otto Porter Jr. & Wilt Chamberlain: A Biographical Contrast

To fully appreciate the absurdity of the rumor, it is essential to first understand the distinct careers and legacies of the two men. One is an undisputed giant of the game; the other, a respected, championship-winning role player whose career came to an end in 2024.

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Otto Porter Jr. (OPJ) Profile & Biography

• Full Name: Otto Porter Jr.
• Born: June 3, 1993, in St. Louis, Missouri.
• Hometown: Morley, Missouri.
• College: Georgetown University (2011–2013).
• NBA Draft: 2013, Round 1, Pick 3 (Washington Wizards).
• NBA Career Span: 11 Seasons (2013–2024).
• NBA Teams: Washington Wizards (2013–2019), Chicago Bulls (2019–2021), Orlando Magic (2021), Golden State Warriors (2021–2022), Toronto Raptors (2022–2023), Utah Jazz (2024).
• Career Highlight: 2022 NBA Champion (Golden State Warriors).
• Retirement: Announced on March 11, 2024.
• Notable Fact: His father, Otto Porter Sr., was a standout player at Southeast Missouri State University.

Wilt Chamberlain Profile & Biography

• Full Name: Wilton Norman Chamberlain.
• Born: August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Died: October 12, 1999, in Bel-Air, California.
• College: University of Kansas (1956–1958).
• NBA Draft: 1959 Territorial Pick (Philadelphia Warriors).
• NBA Career Span: 14 Seasons (1959–1973).
• NBA Teams: Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers.
• Career Highlights: 2× NBA Champion, 4× NBA MVP, 13× All-Star, 100-point game, only player to average 40 and 50 points in a season.
• Notable Fact: Claimed in his 1991 autobiography to have slept with 20,000 women, a claim that fuels the OPJ rumor.

The Origins of The 'Wilt Jr.' Urban Legend

The rumor that Otto Porter Jr. is Wilt Chamberlain's grandson, or even his son, is a classic example of an NBA urban legend that has completely detached from reality. It is a story that has been passed around for nearly a decade, starting around the time Porter Jr. was a young player with the Washington Wizards.

The entire basis of the myth can be traced to three primary factors:

1. The Physical Resemblance

The most immediate and obvious reason for the comparison is the striking physical similarity between a young Wilt Chamberlain and Otto Porter Jr. Fans noted the resemblance in their facial features, particularly around the eyes and jawline, as well as their similar slender, tall builds. This visual connection was enough to spark the initial speculation in the age of social media, where a simple side-by-side photo can launch a thousand rumors.

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2. Wilt's Infamous 20,000 Claim

The fuel that turned a simple resemblance into a full-blown paternity rumor was Wilt Chamberlain’s own notorious claim. In his 1991 autobiography, A View from Above, Chamberlain stated that he had slept with 20,000 women throughout his life. This number, whether true or exaggerated, cemented his legacy as a prolific womanizer. The logic of the rumor goes: if Wilt had 20,000 partners, the possibility of him having an unacknowledged child (or grandchild) is statistically high, making Otto Porter Jr. a plausible candidate for a secret relative.

3. The 'Wizards' Connection

Interestingly, the rumor began to gain significant traction when Porter Jr. played for the Washington Wizards. The city of Washington D.C. has a close historical proximity to Philadelphia, where Wilt played for the Warriors and the 76ers. While not a direct factor, the East Coast locale and the history of the franchises helped keep the discussion alive among older NBA fans who remember the Chamberlain era.

The Reality: Why the Rumor Is Baseless

Despite the fun of the conspiracy theory, the facts unequivocally debunk any familial relationship between the two players. The most critical piece of evidence is Otto Porter Jr.'s own family history.

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• Known Paternity: Otto Porter Jr.'s father is Otto Porter Sr., a former college basketball player. Both of Porter Jr.'s parents have been influential figures in his life and career, with his father being specifically listed as the most influential person in his athletic career.
• Wilt's Known Children: Wilt Chamberlain is not known to have had any children. While he never married, he never publicly acknowledged any offspring, and no credible claims have ever been substantiated.
• OPJ's Direct Denial: Porter Jr. has repeatedly acknowledged the comparison, calling it "crazy" and noting that it started early in his career in D.C. He also faced comparisons to singer Lionel Richie, another figure fans noted he resembled.

OPJ's Savage Response and Retirement Legacy

The narrative around "Wilt Jr." took a humorous and definitive turn in 2022. After Otto Porter Jr. won the NBA Championship as a key role player for the Golden State Warriors, he was asked about the persistent comparisons to both Wilt Chamberlain and Lionel Richie.

His response was a perfect, self-aware mic drop:

“It’s crazy. The Wilt comparisons came out when I was in D.C. It’s been out for a while... I’ll take it, now that I’m champion.”

This quote effectively transformed the comparison from a potentially awkward rumor into a badge of honor. Porter Jr. used his championship ring—something Wilt Chamberlain won twice but which remains the ultimate measure of NBA success—to playfully embrace the legend while simultaneously highlighting his own unique accomplishment.

The End of a Solid Career

The ultimate update to the Otto Porter Jr. story came in March 2024 when he officially announced his retirement from the NBA after 11 seasons. Drafted third overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, Porter Jr. never became the superstar many projected, but he carved out a highly successful career as a versatile forward, a high-efficiency shooter, and a valuable defender. His final stop was a brief stint with the Utah Jazz, but his legacy will be tied to his time with the Wizards and, most importantly, his role in helping the Golden State Warriors secure the 2022 title.

The "Otto Porter Jr. is Wilt Chamberlain's grandson" rumor is a fascinating case study in how a simple visual coincidence, combined with one of the NBA's most famous off-court anecdotes, can create an enduring piece of sports mythology. While the myth is fun, the reality is that Otto Porter Jr. is his own man, a respected professional who concluded a solid NBA career on his own terms, securing a championship ring that gives him a unique, albeit humorous, advantage over any comparisons to the legends of the past.