You won’t find his last name on the back of his jersey. But you’ll still recognize it.

Kidd. It’s a name that echoes through Olympic podiums, NBA arenas, and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

But here, on the sun-soaked fields at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, that name belongs to someone else: 14-year-old Chance Kidd.

He’s competing at the 14U National Team Championships in North Carolina, surrounded by some of the top youth players in the country, all hoping to catch the attention of USA Baseball’s Task Force. For Chance, it’s more than a tournament. It’s a chance to take the first steps toward his own dream, on a field far different from the one his father Jason once ruled.

“It’s something to look forward to, and it just adds more,” Chance said. “It makes it more fun, being out there and knowing that I could, possibly, be scouted for Team USA.”

His energy is contagious. His smile is wide. He doesn’t carry the weight of the Kidd name on his shoulders, but it’s never too far from the story.

Just beyond the dugout, in a bucket hat and sunglasses, stands Jason Kidd – the NBA champion and Hall of Famer, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. But here in Cary, North Carolina, he’s just a dad.

“It’s incredible to be a parent and be a supporter of Chance,” Jason said. “And also, to be able to wear that USA jersey is something that you’ll always treasure. Being able to do that in basketball and win two gold medals – it still gives me goosebumps. So hopefully, Chance one day has that opportunity.”

That dream drives Chance the way it once drove Jason. But where Jason chased greatness through passes and layups, Chance is chasing his on the diamond.

“He used to play baseball, so I’m just trying to be better than him at baseball and basketball,” Chance said, grinning. “It just makes me want to be better, honestly. Just try and be as great as him – or even better.”

The comparisons are inevitable. But Chance doesn’t shy away from them. He uses them.

“The best advice he’s given me? Stay positive, because it’s not always going to go your way,” he said.

That mindset matters, especially in a sport where failure is part of the game. Jason understands this, even if his playing days were in a different arena.

“Baseball’s a little bit harder than basketball,” Jason said. “He’s picked the hardest sport. You can go three-for-ten and be a Hall of Famer. In basketball, if you’re three-for-ten, you’re probably on the bench. So, I think it’s cool to see him make his own footprints.”

Still, Jason knows when to step back.

“I have to be careful because I’m not the coach for baseball,” he said. “All I can do is just tell him to be positive and keep working. If you can keep working through it, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. And that’s something I’m proud he can find.”

For Jason, watching Chance grow through the game – learning to bounce back, staying steady – is what matters most.

“Chance has been great, just understanding the situation of playing baseball,” Jason said. “It’s a sport that you fail at, and have to be able to move on to the next play. He’s shown that as he’s grown. I’m very excited to see where his journey goes. And I’m lucky enough to witness his path alongside him.”

For now, that journey includes one last tournament with his Canes National teammates. After a year of traveling and competing, this week in Cary marks the final chapter of their 14U season.

“My favorite part of Champs is being on the field, playing with my teammates,” Chance said. “I’ve played with them all year, so it’s just fun to come out here. This is our last tournament of the year. So, it’s fun to just play with them one last time.”

The spotlight may not be his yet, but the name on the roster, Chance Kidd, is starting to build meaning of its own.

Because legacies aren’t given. They’re built.

And here in Cary, Chance is building his.