Last Updated on October 9, 2026 by Candida Lucia
Justin Edwards is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. Born on December 16, 2003, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Edwards developed into one of the country’s leading high school basketball prospects before playing for the Kentucky Wildcats. Behind his journey to professional basketball is a close-knit family led by his mother, Ebony Twiggs, a former basketball player who made significant sacrifices to support her children’s futures.
Justin Edwards’ mother is Ebony Twiggs, who raised him alongside his two younger siblings, Akira and Tymir. Although his father’s name has not been publicly established through reliable sources, Edwards has acknowledged spending time with him during childhood. Regarding his romantic life, Edwards mentioned having a girlfriend in a 2022 interview, although he did not reveal her identity. As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that he is married or has children.
Who Is Justin Edwards’ Girlfriend?
Justin Edwards previously confirmed having a girlfriend, although he has not publicly identified her or shared extensive information about their relationship.
During an interview with Pro Insight published on July 23, 2022, Edwards was asked about his interests outside basketball. He explained that he enjoyed playing video games and spending time with his younger brother and girlfriend.
His answer established that he was in a romantic relationship during his final years at Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia.
However, Edwards did not disclose his girlfriend’s name, age, occupation, or personal background in the interview.
Since entering college basketball at the University of Kentucky and subsequently joining the NBA, he has generally maintained a private romantic life.
His public appearances and interviews have focused primarily on his basketball development, his relationship with his mother, and his determination to establish a successful professional career.
Is Justin Edwards Still Dating His Girlfriend?
As of now, it is not publicly confirmed whether Justin Edwards remains in the same relationship he mentioned in 2022.
There have been no sufficiently reliable public reports establishing the identity of his current girlfriend or confirming a relationship change.
Furthermore, the Philadelphia 76ers forward has not publicly announced an engagement or marriage.
Consequently, although Edwards previously acknowledged having a girlfriend, his current relationship status remains private.
Does Justin Edwards Have Children?
As of now, Justin Edwards has no publicly confirmed children. The NBA player has not announced the birth of a son or daughter, and reliable public biographies do not identify him as a father.
Most documented information about Edwards’ personal life concerns his relationship with his mother and younger siblings.
He has spoken frequently about his responsibilities as an older brother and his determination to improve his family’s financial circumstances through basketball.
However, those family responsibilities should not be confused with parenthood.
There is currently no verified public information confirming that Edwards has children of his own.
Who Are Justin Edwards’ Parents?
Justin Edwards was raised primarily by his mother, Ebony Twiggs, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a single parent responsible for raising three children and worked multiple jobs to support the household.
Although Edwards has referred to his father in interviews, his father’s name and detailed personal background have not been reliably established in public reporting.
Justin Edwards’ Mother: Ebony Twiggs
Ebony Twiggs is Justin Edwards’ mother, a former American basketball player who became the most influential person in his life.
Before raising her children, Ebony established herself as a talented basketball player in Philadelphia. She attended University City High School, where she became one of the city’s leading young athletes.
Her basketball career included winning the Most Valuable Player award in the Philadelphia Public League championship game.
She subsequently played college basketball at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania before pursuing a brief professional career overseas in Portugal.
Her sporting background gave Justin an early connection to competitive basketball.
According to an extensive November 2023 interview published by the Lexington Herald-Leader, Ebony introduced her son to basketball when he was in elementary school.
At the time, Justin had considerable energy and sometimes struggled with discipline in the classroom. His mother believed basketball could provide a constructive outlet for that energy.
Having experienced the discipline required to compete at a high level herself, she encouraged him to take the sport seriously.
Basketball gradually became an important part of his childhood, providing structure and helping him develop confidence.
Ebony Twiggs’ Sacrifices for Her Children
Raising Justin and his two younger siblings was not easy for Ebony Twiggs.
For several years, she worked two jobs to provide for her family. According to reporting by The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Lexington Herald-Leader, she worked at Walmart and at a hospital in Philadelphia.
Her daily routine frequently began before sunrise, with her first job continuing into the afternoon. She then traveled to her hospital job, sometimes working until late in the evening.
These demanding schedules meant that she occasionally missed her son’s youth basketball games and tournaments.
Nevertheless, she continued supporting his ambitions financially and emotionally.
Travel basketball required money for transportation, accommodation, equipment, and other expenses. Despite limited resources, Ebony made sacrifices to ensure that Justin could compete against talented players and receive the exposure necessary to advance his career.
Edwards has repeatedly acknowledged how much his mother’s determination influenced his own work ethic.
During a 2022 interview with Pro Insight, he explained that his mother’s previous professional basketball experience and the sacrifices she made for him were among his greatest motivations.
He also described her as his most important role model.
How Justin Edwards Helped His Mother Retire
One of Justin Edwards’ most important personal ambitions was to become financially successful enough to allow his mother to stop working.
As his high school basketball career developed, he began attracting attention from leading college programs across the United States.
He eventually committed to the University of Kentucky in July 2022, fulfilling a childhood dream.
His growing opportunities through basketball helped improve his family’s circumstances.
In November 2023, Edwards told the Lexington Herald-Leader that he had been able to help his mother retire from work.
The achievement was particularly meaningful because he had witnessed how hard she worked while raising him and his siblings.
Ebony expressed pride not only in her son’s athletic success but also in his humility and commitment to supporting his family.
When Edwards moved to Lexington to attend Kentucky, his mother and younger siblings relocated with him.
The move allowed them to remain together while he pursued his basketball career.
During a May 2024 interview at the NBA Draft Combine, Edwards revealed that conversations with his mother had helped him through difficult moments during his freshman season.
He explained that her encouragement allowed him to focus on enjoying basketball rather than constantly worrying about the responsibility of supporting his family.
Their close relationship remains one of the most important aspects of his personal story.
Justin Edwards’ Father
The identity of Justin Edwards’ father has not been reliably established in publicly available player biographies or major sports reporting.
Although most coverage of his upbringing focuses on Ebony Twiggs, Edwards has acknowledged spending time with his father during childhood.
In his July 2022 interview with Pro Insight, Edwards recalled playing football for approximately one year while living in North Carolina with his father.
He subsequently returned to Philadelphia, where he continued developing his interest in basketball.
However, Edwards did not identify his father by name or discuss his occupation and personal background.
Other reporting has described Ebony as a single mother who raised Justin and his two younger siblings.
That information establishes her primary role in their upbringing but does not provide enough evidence to make assumptions about the circumstances of his parents’ relationship.
As of now, reliable public sources do not provide further confirmed biographical details about Justin Edwards’ father.
Does Justin Edwards Have Siblings?
Yes. Justin Edwards has two younger siblings: a sister named Akira and a brother named Tymir.
Both siblings are identified in his official University of Kentucky basketball biography and in reporting by the Lexington Herald-Leader and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Justin is the eldest of the three children raised by Ebony Twiggs.
His relationships with his younger sister and brother have been a significant source of motivation throughout his basketball career.
Akira Twiggs – Justin Edwards’ Younger Sister
Akira Twiggs is Justin Edwards’ younger sister.
She grew up alongside Justin and their younger brother, Tymir, in Philadelphia, where their mother worked to provide for all three children.
Akira has supported her older brother throughout his basketball journey, including during his highly publicized college recruitment.
On July 25, 2022, Akira attended the ceremony at Imhotep Charter High School where Justin announced his commitment to the University of Kentucky.
Photographs published by The Philadelphia Inquirer showed Akira sitting beside her brother and their mother as he made the announcement.
Her attendance demonstrated the family’s involvement in one of the most important early decisions of his basketball career.
In 2023, Akira moved to Lexington with her mother and younger brother when Justin joined the Kentucky Wildcats.
The relocation allowed the family to remain close and attend his college basketball games.
Unlike her older brother, Akira has generally remained outside the public spotlight, and reliable information about her individual interests and future career plans is limited.
Tymir – Justin Edwards’ Younger Brother
Tymir is Justin Edwards’ younger brother and the youngest of Ebony Twiggs’ three children.
Despite the age difference between them, Justin and Tymir have developed a particularly close relationship.
In a November 2023 feature published by the Lexington Herald-Leader, Imhotep Charter basketball coach Andre Noble described how strongly Tymir admired his older brother.
According to Noble, when Tymir was asked to identify his favorite basketball player, he chose Justin.
Tymir also described Justin as his best friend, illustrating the affection between the brothers.
In his 2022 Pro Insight interview, Edwards included spending time with his younger brother among his favorite activities outside basketball.
When Justin moved to the University of Kentucky, Tymir relocated with their mother and sister, allowing him to remain close to his older brother.
He subsequently attended Kentucky basketball games with his family and watched Justin compete at the college level.
Although Tymir’s personal life remains private, his relationship with Justin has been documented in several reports about the basketball player’s upbringing.
How Justin Edwards’ Family Influenced His Basketball Career
Justin Edwards’ development into an NBA player was shaped by his mother’s basketball background and the encouragement of his younger siblings.
Growing up in Philadelphia, he attended Imhotep Institute Charter High School, where he played under coach Andre Noble.
Over several seasons, Edwards developed into one of the country’s leading high school prospects.
He helped Imhotep win multiple championships, including Pennsylvania state titles, and became a McDonald’s All-American in 2023.
His success carried additional significance because his mother had also achieved major basketball honors in the Philadelphia Public League.
According to Kentucky’s official basketball biography, Ebony received the Public League championship game’s MVP award 23 years before Justin earned the equivalent honor in the boys’ competition.
The accomplishment gave mother and son a unique connection in Philadelphia basketball history.
In July 2022, Edwards selected Kentucky over other leading programs, including Tennessee.
His decision was influenced partly by the family environment established by coach John Calipari and the Kentucky basketball program.
Because his mother and siblings moved with him, Edwards maintained close family support during his only college season.
He averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds across 32 games for Kentucky during the 2023–24 season.
After declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft, Edwards went undrafted but signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 4, 2024.
He made his NBA debut in November 2024 and gradually earned more playing opportunities.
In February 2025, Philadelphia converted his two-way contract into a standard NBA contract, representing a significant professional milestone.
During an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer in March 2025, Edwards explained that earning a standard NBA contract had been one of the goals he discussed with his mother.
His achievements allowed him to continue his basketball career in Philadelphia, the same city where his mother had worked hard to support his childhood ambitions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Justin Edwards’ Family
Who is Justin Edwards’ girlfriend?
Justin Edwards mentioned having a girlfriend during an interview with Pro Insight in July 2022. However, he did not reveal her name, and his current relationship status has not been publicly confirmed.
Is Justin Edwards married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Justin Edwards is married or has a wife.
Does Justin Edwards have children?
As of now, Justin Edwards has no publicly confirmed children. He has not announced having a son or daughter.
Who is Justin Edwards’ mother?
His mother is Ebony Twiggs, a former college and professional basketball player who represented Cheyney University and played professionally in Portugal. She raised Justin and his two younger siblings as a single mother.
Who is Justin Edwards’ father?
Justin Edwards has mentioned spending a year in North Carolina with his father during childhood. However, his father’s name and detailed personal background have not been publicly established through reliable sources.
How many siblings does Justin Edwards have?
Justin Edwards has two younger siblings: a sister named Akira and a brother named Tymir.
Who is Justin Edwards’ sister?
His younger sister is Akira Twiggs. She attended his Kentucky commitment announcement in July 2022 and later moved to Lexington with their family.
Who is Justin Edwards’ brother?
His younger brother is Tymir. The two share a close relationship, and Tymir has described Justin as his favorite basketball player and best friend.
Did Justin Edwards’ mother play basketball?
Yes. Ebony Twiggs played college basketball at Cheyney University and had a brief professional basketball career in Portugal.
Where is Justin Edwards’ family from?
Justin Edwards and his family are from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. His mother and younger siblings temporarily relocated to Lexington, Kentucky, during his college basketball career.
When was Justin Edwards born?
Justin Edwards was born on December 16, 2003, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Candida Lucia is a sports journalist and NBA writer specializing in tactical game analysis, player development, and league coverage. With an eye for on-court execution and team dynamics, she delivers detailed breakdowns of strategy, roster updates, and key performance trends. Passionate about bringing readers closer to the game, Candida offers engaging insights on every aspect of the NBA season, from regular-season battles to the Finals.
