Dylan Cardwell’s Family: Wife, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by Candida Lucia

Dylan Cardwell is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. Born on December 16, 2001, in Augusta, Georgia, Cardwell became a fan favorite during his five-year college basketball career with the Auburn Tigers before beginning his professional career in 2025. Behind his journey is a close-knit family that has played an important role in his development both on and off the basketball court.

Many fans are curious about Dylan Cardwell’s wife, children, parents, and siblings. The NBA center is married to Zaria Cardwell, who was previously known as Zaria DeMember-Shazer. His mother is Michele Cardwell, who raised him alongside his two brothers, Duvall and Drake Cardwell. While his family background is well documented, some details about his father and whether he has children remain private.

Dylan Cardwell’s Wife: Who Is Zaria Cardwell?

Dylan Cardwell is married to Zaria Cardwell, formerly known as Zaria DeMember-Shazer. The couple married in 2025, marking an important milestone in the basketball player’s personal life.

Zaria is originally from Elmira, New York, where she attended school and participated in athletics. Although Dylan became widely recognized through his basketball career at Auburn University and later in the NBA, his wife has maintained a relatively private public profile.

One public confirmation of their marriage came from the Elmira City School District on April 1, 2026. In a social media announcement published on its official website, the district identified Dylan Cardwell as the husband of Elmira native Zaria Shazer Demember.

The district celebrated the couple’s connection to Elmira after Dylan was photographed arriving at an NBA game wearing an Elmira Express hoodie. His choice of clothing drew attention because it publicly represented his wife’s hometown and school community.

The gesture demonstrated that Cardwell’s family connections extend beyond his upbringing in Georgia and his college basketball years in Alabama.

Although the couple’s marriage is publicly documented, detailed information about how Dylan and Zaria met, when they began dating, and the location of their wedding ceremony has not been widely established by reliable sources.

Dylan Cardwell’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?

There is currently no verified public information confirming that Dylan Cardwell has children.

Although he is married to Zaria Cardwell, neither official NBA biographical information nor established reports about his family identify any sons or daughters.

Cardwell has spoken publicly about the importance of marriage, faith, and family relationships, but he has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father.

His interviews have generally concentrated on his basketball career, Christian faith, family background, and the sacrifices made by the people who supported him throughout his development.

As of now, Dylan Cardwell has no publicly confirmed children. This does not establish that he has none, only that reliable public information about any children is unavailable.

Dylan Cardwell’s Parents: Meet His Mother Michele Cardwell

Dylan Cardwell grew up in Augusta, Georgia, where he was primarily raised by his mother, Michele Cardwell, alongside his two brothers.

The Sacramento Kings center has openly discussed growing up in a single-mother household and how that experience shaped his determination to succeed in basketball.

His mother’s sacrifices became one of his greatest motivations, particularly as he pursued his ambition of reaching the NBA and becoming financially successful enough to support his family.

Dylan Cardwell’s Mother: Michele Cardwell

Michele Cardwell is Dylan Cardwell’s mother and one of the most influential figures in his life.

She raised three sons, Duvall, Dylan, and Drake, in the Augusta area of Georgia while supporting their educational and athletic ambitions.

According to reporting by EssentiallySports, Dylan has spoken about growing up in a single-parent household and the difficulties his mother experienced while raising three children.

Her hard work and dedication inspired him to approach basketball with determination, knowing that a successful professional career could help improve his family’s financial circumstances.

One of Cardwell’s personal ambitions was to reach the NBA and earn enough money so that his mother would no longer have to work.

Michele’s involvement was also evident in the athletic development of Dylan’s younger brother, Drake.

In a September 2024 feature published by Auburn University Athletics, Drake recalled participating in early morning weightlifting sessions with his mother.

He explained that they sometimes went to the gym at 5 a.m. before he attended school, demonstrating the family’s commitment to discipline and physical development.

Michele also supported Drake’s decision to pursue college basketball at Auburn University, where he eventually joined Dylan on the Tigers’ roster.

Although detailed information about Michele’s professional career is limited, her importance to both of her basketball-playing sons is well established.

For Dylan, his mother’s sacrifices provided motivation to work harder and pursue opportunities that could benefit his entire family.

Dylan Cardwell’s Father: What Is Known About Him?

Unlike his mother, Dylan Cardwell’s father has remained largely outside the public spotlight.

Reliable basketball biographies and interviews provide limited information about his father’s identity, profession, and relationship with the NBA player.

Cardwell has publicly identified himself as someone who grew up in a single-mother household, emphasizing that Michele Cardwell played the central role in raising him and his brothers.

However, growing up with a single mother does not necessarily establish the circumstances surrounding his father’s absence or the nature of their relationship.

Because those details have not been clearly documented, it would be inappropriate to speculate about his father’s personal circumstances.

As of now, the identity and personal background of Dylan Cardwell’s father have not been reliably established in major public biographical sources.

Dylan Cardwell’s Siblings: Meet His Brothers Duvall and Drake Cardwell

Dylan Cardwell has two brothers named Duvall Cardwell and Drake Cardwell.

The three brothers were raised by their mother, Michele Cardwell, in Georgia. While Dylan pursued professional basketball, his younger brother Drake followed him to Auburn University, where the two became college teammates.

Their family connection has attracted attention from Auburn basketball fans, particularly because the brothers shared the same university basketball program during the 2024–25 season.

Drake Cardwell: Dylan Cardwell’s Younger Brother

Drake Cardwell is Dylan Cardwell’s younger brother and a college basketball player for the Auburn Tigers.

Born on June 1, 2005, Drake grew up in Augusta, Georgia, and attended Evans High School, where he developed into a talented basketball player.

At Evans, he became a varsity team captain and earned recognition as a two-time CSRA All-Star. During his senior high school season, he averaged approximately 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.

After graduating from high school in 2023, Drake attended Kennesaw State University, initially hoping to join the school’s men’s basketball program as a walk-on.

However, the team’s roster was full, preventing him from securing the opportunity he wanted.

He continued working toward his basketball ambitions, occasionally practicing with the women’s basketball team and participating in recreational games while working at FedEx.

Encouragement from friends eventually motivated him to pursue another opportunity in college basketball.

Drake later contacted his mother about the possibility of joining Auburn University, where his older brother Dylan was already an established player.

The move became possible in 2024, when Drake joined the Tigers as a walk-on shooting guard.

For the first time in several years, the brothers had an opportunity to live together and share the same basketball environment.

According to a September 2024 Auburn Athletics article, Dylan and Drake became roommates while playing for the Tigers.

Drake described his older brother as an important mentor whose work ethic and character inspired him to become a better basketball player and person.

Dylan was equally enthusiastic about the opportunity, explaining that he wanted Drake to establish his own identity and achieve success through dedication and hard work.

During the 2025–26 season, Drake appeared in three games for Auburn and earned recognition on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

As of the 2026–27 season, Drake remains listed on Auburn’s men’s basketball roster as a junior guard.

Duvall Cardwell: Dylan Cardwell’s Brother

Duvall Cardwell is Dylan Cardwell’s other brother and a member of the family’s three-son household.

His identity is documented in Drake Cardwell’s official Auburn University athletics biography, which lists Duvall and Dylan as Drake’s two siblings.

Unlike Dylan and Drake, Duvall has not attracted significant public attention through a widely documented college or professional basketball career.

Information about his education, occupation, and personal relationships is limited.

Nevertheless, his relationship with Dylan and Drake is confirmed by official university records.

Duvall was raised alongside his brothers in the Augusta area, where their mother supported the family’s upbringing.

Although Duvall maintains a relatively private profile, he remains an important part of the Cardwell family story.

Dylan Cardwell’s Family Background and Christian Faith

Christianity has played an important role in Dylan Cardwell’s personal development and identity.

During his years at Auburn University, he became known not only for his energetic performances on the basketball court but also for openly discussing his Christian faith.

In April 2021, Cardwell was baptized and later spoke about how his faith helped him develop greater peace and purpose.

His religious beliefs became increasingly central to his relationships with teammates and his understanding of leadership.

During Auburn’s 2024–25 basketball season, his younger brother Drake spoke about Dylan’s influence on his spiritual development.

Drake explained that his older brother helped him strengthen his relationship with Christianity and encouraged him to develop a more positive outlook on life.

Cardwell also became known for supporting teammates who wanted to discuss religion, personal difficulties, and their relationships with God.

His Christian faith continued to influence him after entering the NBA.

In a May 2026 interview published by Auburn University Athletics, Cardwell recalled receiving advice from his father-in-law while adjusting to life as a professional basketball player in Sacramento.

His father-in-law shared a biblical message from Proverbs 10:22, encouraging him to view his new opportunities as blessings.

Cardwell explained that the advice provided reassurance during a period of major personal and professional change.

That experience further demonstrated the importance of family and faith in his life after college.

How Dylan Cardwell’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career

Dylan Cardwell’s journey to the NBA began in Augusta, Georgia, where he developed his basketball skills while growing up with his mother and brothers.

His interest in basketball became increasingly serious during his teenage years.

Cardwell attended Oak Hill Academy in Virginia before transferring to McEachern High School in Georgia for his senior season.

He also competed in AAU basketball, where he gained valuable experience against talented players from across the country.

After attracting interest from several college programs, Cardwell committed to Auburn University and joined the Tigers in 2020.

Over five seasons at Auburn, he developed into one of the program’s most recognizable players.

His energetic personality, defensive ability, rebounding, and willingness to support teammates helped him establish a strong connection with Auburn basketball fans.

Cardwell also excelled academically. He graduated from Auburn in December 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, concentrating on business management and entrepreneurship.

During the 2024–25 season, he became Auburn’s all-time leader in career victories and helped the Tigers reach the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

He finished his college basketball career with 165 appearances, 211 blocked shots, and a school-record career field-goal percentage of 70.9%.

Despite his achievements, Cardwell was not selected in the 2025 NBA Draft.

However, the Sacramento Kings offered him a two-way contract, giving him an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities at the professional level.

He initially divided his time between Sacramento and the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League.

His strong rebounding, defense, and finishing ability eventually earned him a standard NBA contract in February 2026.

Reflecting on his rookie season in an interview published by Auburn Athletics in May 2026, Cardwell discussed his transition from college basketball to the NBA and the importance of maintaining his faith throughout the process.

His rise to the NBA also represented the realization of a longstanding ambition to create better opportunities for his family, particularly his mother.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dylan Cardwell’s Family

Who is Dylan Cardwell’s wife?

Dylan Cardwell is married to Zaria Cardwell, formerly known as Zaria DeMember-Shazer. She is originally from Elmira, New York.

Is Dylan Cardwell married?

Yes. Dylan Cardwell married Zaria Cardwell in 2025. Their marriage was publicly acknowledged by the Elmira City School District in April 2026.

Does Dylan Cardwell have children?

There are no publicly confirmed reports indicating that Dylan Cardwell has children.

Who is Dylan Cardwell’s mother?

Dylan Cardwell’s mother is Michele Cardwell, who raised him and his two brothers in the Augusta, Georgia, area.

Who is Dylan Cardwell’s father?

The identity of Dylan Cardwell’s father has not been reliably established in major public basketball biographies. Cardwell has discussed growing up in a single-mother household.

How many siblings does Dylan Cardwell have?

Dylan Cardwell has two brothers named Duvall Cardwell and Drake Cardwell.

Is Drake Cardwell related to Dylan Cardwell?

Yes. Drake Cardwell is Dylan Cardwell’s younger brother. Both played college basketball for Auburn University during the 2024–25 season.

Does Dylan Cardwell have a sister?

No sister is identified in official Auburn University family biographies. His publicly documented siblings are his brothers Duvall and Drake.

Where is Dylan Cardwell’s family from?

Dylan Cardwell’s family is from the Augusta, Georgia, area of the United States.

What is Dylan Cardwell’s wife’s hometown?

Dylan Cardwell’s wife, Zaria, is from Elmira, New York, according to an April 2026 announcement by the Elmira City School District.

Which NBA team does Dylan Cardwell play for?

Dylan Cardwell plays for the Sacramento Kings. He joined the organization in 2025 after completing his college basketball career at Auburn University.