John Poulakidas Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on October 9, 2026 by Orlando Bloom

John Poulakidas is an American professional basketball player of Greek descent who plays for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Born on April 4, 2003, in Naperville, Illinois, his full name is John Michael Poulakidas. The talented shooting guard gained national recognition during his college basketball career at Yale University before making his NBA debut in March 2026. Beyond his achievements on the basketball court, fans are interested in John Poulakidas’s family, particularly his girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.

Poulakidas comes from a close-knit Greek-American family with strong cultural traditions and an interest in basketball. His parents are Michael and Hadi Poulakidas, whose families trace their ancestry to different regions of Greece. He has two younger siblings, a sister named Hypatia “Tia” Poulakidas, who plays college basketball at the University of Rochester, and a brother named Ilias Poulakidas. In his romantic life, John has been publicly linked to former Iowa Hawkeyes basketball player Kylie Feuerbach, although their current relationship status has not been independently confirmed.

John Poulakidas’s Girlfriend: Meet Kylie Feuerbach

John Poulakidas has been romantically linked to Kylie Feuerbach, an American basketball player who represented Iowa State University and the University of Iowa during her college career.

Their relationship attracted public attention in 2023 and 2024, particularly when both were competing in NCAA Division I basketball.

Feuerbach was born on May 21, 2001, and grew up in Sycamore, Illinois. She attended Sycamore High School, where she developed into one of the state’s leading basketball prospects.

During her high school career, she earned recognition for her scoring ability, defensive contributions and versatility.

Her performances helped her secure a scholarship to Iowa State University, where she began her college basketball career during the 2020–21 season.

After one season with the Cyclones, Feuerbach transferred to the University of Iowa, joining the Hawkeyes women’s basketball program.

At Iowa, she became known for her defensive intensity and willingness to contribute in different roles.

She was also part of the Hawkeyes team that reached the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game, playing alongside Caitlin Clark and other prominent college basketball players.

How Did John Poulakidas and Kylie Feuerbach Meet?

John Poulakidas and Kylie Feuerbach both grew up in Illinois and pursued college basketball careers at different universities.

Although the exact circumstances surrounding their first meeting have not been publicly established, reports indicate that they began dating around 2022.

Their relationship became increasingly visible through social media, where they occasionally shared photographs and messages celebrating important moments in each other’s lives.

In April 2024, Feuerbach attracted attention after posting a birthday tribute to Poulakidas on Instagram.

Her message praised his friendship, support and positive influence in her life, publicly acknowledging their romantic relationship.

The couple also received attention during the 2024 NCAA Tournament, when Poulakidas helped Yale secure a historic victory over Auburn.

Feuerbach supported his basketball achievements through social media, including recognition of his All-Ivy League honors.

In May 2024, reports also discussed a birthday tribute that John shared in celebration of Kylie’s birthday.

Although their relationship was publicly documented during their college careers, neither player has recently provided a widely verified statement clarifying whether they remain together.

As of now, Kylie Feuerbach is John Poulakidas’s most widely reported romantic partner. However, their relationship status in October 2026 has not been independently confirmed, and there is no reliable public announcement of an engagement or marriage.

John Poulakidas’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?

There is no reliable public information confirming that John Poulakidas has children. The Dallas Mavericks guard has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and his official NBA and college basketball biographies do not identify any children.

Although his previous relationship with Kylie Feuerbach received media attention, there have been no verified announcements suggesting that the two have children together.

Poulakidas has generally kept much of his private life away from extensive public attention, with most interviews concentrating on basketball, education and his Greek heritage.

As of now, John Poulakidas has no publicly confirmed children. However, the absence of a public announcement does not establish details about aspects of his personal life that he has chosen not to disclose.

John Poulakidas’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother

John Poulakidas’s parents are Michael Poulakidas and Hadi Poulakidas. Both come from families of Greek ancestry, and they raised their children in Naperville, Illinois.

The family’s background has played an important role in John’s cultural identity. Although he was born and raised in the United States, he has maintained a strong interest in Greece and the traditions passed down through his grandparents.

In a 2024 interview with Greek television broadcaster ERT3, Poulakidas discussed his family’s origins and explained that all four of his grandparents have Greek roots.

John Poulakidas’s Father: Michael Poulakidas

Michael Poulakidas, also known as Mike Poulakidas, is the father of NBA player John Poulakidas.

He has been publicly recognized for supporting his son’s basketball development, particularly during John’s successful college career at Yale University.

In February 2025, the Greek-American newspaper The National Herald published an article about a community event organized by the Order of AHEPA in New Haven, Connecticut.

The event brought Greek-American youth basketball fans together to watch Yale compete against Dartmouth College.

Following the game, John participated in a meeting with members of the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Youth Association, encouraging them to remain connected to their heritage and respect their parents.

The publication reported that Michael regularly attended Yale basketball games to support his son.

His presence reflected the family’s involvement in John’s college basketball career and their connections to the Greek-American community.

Michael’s parents also contributed to John’s understanding of his Greek heritage.

During his 2024 interview with ERT3, John explained that his paternal grandfather was born in Sparta, a historic city in southern Greece.

His paternal grandmother came from Chios, an island in the northeastern Aegean Sea.

These family connections have remained important to Poulakidas, who has expressed interest in potentially representing Greece in international basketball.

Michael and his family also encouraged John’s educational ambitions, including his decision to attend Yale University rather than choosing a college solely because of its basketball program.

Although Michael has appeared in public reporting about his son’s achievements, additional personal details about his occupation and private life have not been extensively documented in major sports publications.

John Poulakidas’s Mother: Hadi Poulakidas

John Poulakidas’s mother is Hadi Poulakidas, another important member of the basketball player’s immediate family.

Hadi and Michael raised their children in the Naperville area, where John developed his interest in basketball and later became an outstanding high school player.

In March 2026, Hellenic News of America identified Michael and Hadi as John’s parents in an article discussing Greek-American basketball players competing professionally in the United States.

Like her husband, Hadi comes from a family with strong Greek roots.

John explained during his 2024 ERT3 interview that both of his maternal grandparents came from the Peloponnese region of southern Greece.

More specifically, their family roots trace to Rizes, a village associated with the Arcadia area.

His mother’s family background connects him to another historically significant region of Greece and contributes to his strong sense of Greek identity.

Hadi has supported her children’s educational and sporting activities, including the basketball development of John and his younger sister Tia.

Her connection to the University of Rochester, where Tia plays basketball, also appears in the institution’s parent and supporter records.

Although Hadi has maintained a relatively private life, her family’s Greek traditions and support for education have been important elements of John’s upbringing.

As of now, Hadi remains one of the documented figures in John Poulakidas’s family background, particularly through reporting about his Greek-American heritage.

John Poulakidas’s Siblings: Meet His Sister Tia and Brother Ilias

John Poulakidas has two publicly documented younger siblings: Hypatia “Tia” Poulakidas and Ilias Poulakidas.

He identified both siblings during his interview with Greek television broadcaster ERT3 in 2024, providing insight into their educational and sporting backgrounds.

His sister has received particular attention because she has followed a similar basketball pathway, becoming a college player in New York.

Hypatia “Tia” Poulakidas – John Poulakidas’s Younger Sister

Hypatia Poulakidas, commonly known as Tia Poulakidas, is John Poulakidas’s younger sister and a college basketball player at the University of Rochester in New York.

Like her older brother, Tia grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and attended Neuqua Valley High School.

She developed an interest in basketball during her school years and became an important member of the Wildcats girls’ basketball team.

Standing approximately 6 feet tall, she plays as a forward and is known for her shooting ability, rebounding and versatility.

During her high school career, Tia served as a team captain for two seasons and earned All-DuPage Valley Conference recognition twice.

She was also named to the Naperville Sun All-Area team and received All-State recognition in 2023.

Her performances helped Neuqua Valley win conference and regional championships during the 2022–23 season.

In December 2022, the Chicago Tribune published an article discussing Tia’s development and the influence of her older brother John.

She explained that John frequently encouraged her to practice shooting and improve her offensive skills.

His experience as a successful high school shooter and Yale basketball player gave him valuable knowledge that he could share with his sister.

Following her graduation from Neuqua Valley in 2023, Tia enrolled at the University of Rochester and joined the Yellowjackets women’s basketball program.

During her freshman season in 2023–24, she appeared in all 25 games and averaged 4.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.

She improved during the 2024–25 season, appearing in another 25 games and making 23 starts while averaging 7.0 points and 3.8 rebounds.

During the 2025–26 season, Tia played in 23 games and started 19, averaging 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

Her academic achievements have also received recognition. She was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team and earned University Athletic Association All-Academic honors.

In September 2026, the University of Rochester selected Tia as a Garnish Scholar Athlete, recognizing her contributions to both academics and athletics.

She studies ecology and evolutionary biology and has participated in internships related to animal care and environmental conservation.

Her experiences include working with the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago and participating in environmental restoration projects in Illinois.

As of the 2026–27 academic year, Tia is listed as a senior on the University of Rochester women’s basketball roster.

Her continued involvement in basketball reflects the sporting connection she shares with her older brother John.

Ilias Poulakidas – John Poulakidas’s Younger Brother

Ilias Poulakidas is John Poulakidas’s younger brother and another member of the family’s Greek-American household.

His name has also appeared in English-language reporting about John’s family, while some Greek-language references use the spelling Elias Poulakidas.

During a 2024 interview with ERT3, John identified Ilias as his brother and explained that he was attending high school in Illinois at the time.

His younger brother was raised in the Naperville area, where the family has maintained strong community connections.

Although some Greek basketball discussions have associated Ilias with youth basketball, detailed official statistics and verified information about his sporting career are limited.

Unlike John, who became a nationally recognized college player, and Tia, who competes at the University of Rochester, Ilias has generally maintained a lower public profile.

His exact date of birth, current educational institution and professional ambitions have not been reliably established in widely available public reporting.

As of now, Ilias remains John’s publicly documented younger brother, although further personal information about him is limited.

John Poulakidas’s Greek Family Heritage and Ancestry

Greek heritage is an important part of John Poulakidas’s identity and one of the distinctive aspects of his family background.

Although he was born in Naperville, Illinois, his parents and grandparents have maintained strong connections to Greece.

During his interview with ERT3 in May 2024, John explained that all four of his grandparents came from Greek families.

His paternal grandfather was born in Sparta, while his paternal grandmother was from Chios.

On his mother’s side, his grandparents originated from the Peloponnese, particularly the village of Rizes.

John also discussed his knowledge of the Greek language, explaining that he could speak some Greek but had not become fully fluent.

His cultural background has influenced his involvement with the Greek-American community.

According to his official Yale University basketball biography, Poulakidas volunteered at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Kids Summer Camp.

He also participated in community events involving Greek-American organizations, including the Order of AHEPA.

In 2025, he met young Greek-American basketball supporters following a Yale game and encouraged them to respect their families and remain connected to their heritage.

His ancestry has also attracted attention from basketball supporters in Greece.

After his outstanding performance against Auburn during the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Greek sports media began discussing the possibility of Poulakidas playing professionally in Greece.

During his ERT3 interview, he expressed admiration for Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, two of the country’s most successful basketball clubs.

He also revealed that he was pursuing a Greek passport and was interested in the possibility of representing Greece internationally.

However, his comments from 2024 should not be interpreted as confirmation of his current citizenship or national-team eligibility.

For Poulakidas, his family’s Greek ancestry remains an important connection between his American upbringing and his European cultural background.

How John Poulakidas’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career

John Poulakidas’s family has provided important support throughout his development from a young basketball player in Illinois to a professional athlete in the NBA.

Growing up in Naperville, he developed a passion for basketball and attended Neuqua Valley High School, where he became one of the most accomplished players in the school’s history.

He finished his high school career with more than 1,300 points, becoming Neuqua Valley’s all-time leading scorer.

He also earned two Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State selections and three All-Conference honors.

During one memorable game against Bolingbrook High School, Poulakidas scored 49 points in a double-overtime contest.

His performances attracted interest from several college basketball programs, including universities competing in major NCAA conferences.

However, John ultimately committed to Yale University in September 2020.

He explained that his decision reflected the importance of choosing a university that could benefit him throughout his life, rather than focusing exclusively on four years of college basketball.

At Yale, Poulakidas gradually developed into one of the Ivy League’s leading shooting guards.

After playing a limited role during his freshman season, he became a regular starter as a sophomore and continued improving.

His breakthrough moment came on March 22, 2024, when Yale faced Auburn University in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Poulakidas scored 28 points, making six three-pointers, as Yale defeated fourth-seeded Auburn 78–76.

The result became one of the tournament’s most memorable upsets and brought national attention to the Greek-American guard.

During his senior season in 2024–25, he led the Ivy League in scoring with 19.4 points per game.

He was named to the All-Ivy League First Team and received the Ivy League Tournament Most Valuable Player award.

Following his college career, Poulakidas entered the 2025 NBA Draft but was not selected.

He subsequently joined the Los Angeles Clippers organization for NBA Summer League competition and played for the San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League.

His strong shooting performances attracted attention from NBA teams.

On March 3, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks signed him to a two-way contract, allowing him to play for the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.

He made his NBA debut against the Charlotte Hornets that same day.

On April 12, 2026, Poulakidas delivered a career-best NBA performance, scoring 28 points against the Chicago Bulls while making eight three-pointers.

His progression from an undrafted college player to an NBA contributor reflected his dedication and ability to capitalize on professional opportunities.

Throughout his career, his family’s support, Greek cultural background and commitment to education have remained important parts of his personal story.

Frequently Asked Questions About John Poulakidas’s Family

Who is John Poulakidas’s girlfriend?

John Poulakidas was publicly reported to be dating former Iowa Hawkeyes basketball player Kylie Feuerbach during their college careers. Their relationship was documented in 2023 and 2024, but their current status has not been independently confirmed.

Is John Poulakidas married?

There is no reliable public confirmation that John Poulakidas is married or has a wife.

Does John Poulakidas have children?

John Poulakidas has no publicly confirmed children. He has not publicly announced having a son or daughter.

Who are John Poulakidas’s parents?

His parents are Michael Poulakidas and Hadi Poulakidas, who raised their family in Naperville, Illinois. Both have Greek ancestry.

Who is John Poulakidas’s father?

His father is Michael “Mike” Poulakidas, who regularly supported John’s basketball career at Yale University. His paternal family traces its roots to Sparta and Chios in Greece.

Who is John Poulakidas’s mother?

His mother is Hadi Poulakidas. Her family has roots in the Peloponnese region of Greece, particularly the village of Rizes.

How many siblings does John Poulakidas have?

John Poulakidas has two publicly documented younger siblings: a sister named Hypatia “Tia” Poulakidas and a brother named Ilias Poulakidas.

Who is John Poulakidas’s sister?

His younger sister is Tia Poulakidas, a college basketball player who represents the University of Rochester women’s basketball team in New York.

Who is John Poulakidas’s brother?

His younger brother is Ilias Poulakidas, who was attending high school in Illinois when John discussed his siblings during a 2024 Greek television interview.

Is John Poulakidas Greek?

John Poulakidas is American-born and has Greek ancestry through both parents. All four of his grandparents have Greek roots, with family connections to Sparta, Chios and the Peloponnese.

Where is John Poulakidas from?

John Poulakidas was born in Naperville, Illinois, on April 4, 2003. He attended Neuqua Valley High School before playing college basketball at Yale University.

How old is John Poulakidas?

John Poulakidas was born on April 4, 2003, making him 23 years old as of October 2026.

Which NBA team does John Poulakidas play for?

John Poulakidas plays for the Dallas Mavericks. He joined the franchise on a two-way contract in March 2026 after beginning his professional career with the San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League.