All in the Vandeweghe: Kiki enjoying CoCo's US Open run

CoCo Vandeweghe's run to Wednesday's semifinals at the US Open naturally has her family watching closely. But when her bloodlines include some pretty successful athletes in their own right, it's another story.

"I couldn't be more proud or excited for her," NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki Vandeweghe told the New York Post's Marc Berman of his niece. "She's playing great tennis and showing a lot of her natural ability. She has great athletic ability. Obviously it came from her two parents."

CoCo's mother is Kiki's sister, former Olympic swimmer Tauna Vandeweghe. Their father, Ernie, was one of the New York Knicks' early star players, from 1949-56.

Kiki, who played for the Knicks himself for three seasons in a 13-year NBA playing career, now handles disciplinary measures at the league office after several front-office stints and a brief period coaching the Nets.

He said his niece's fiery demeanor is just part of her game.

"She has that under control and it now motivates her and it’s not a distraction," Vandeweghe said. "She expresses frustration, then she’s right back focused on tennis. ... You got to be yourself. If I told her something now, that's what I would say. Play your game, not someone else's."