Dru Smith’s family has remained an important part of his journey from Evansville, Indiana, to the NBA. Born Dru Hildry Smith on December 30, 1997, the Miami Heat guard is the son of Kendra Giles and Leonard Smith. He also grew up with siblings, including brothers Jaxon Giles and Daveon Smith, while his stepfather, Lavarus […]
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Nick Richards’ family played a major role in the sacrifices that carried him from Kingston, Jamaica, to college basketball at Kentucky and eventually the NBA. Born Nicholas Richards on November 29, 1997, the Jamaican center was raised by his mother, Marion Tenn, whom he has repeatedly identified as the person who influenced his life the […]
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Lester Quiñones’ family and multicultural background have played an important role in his journey from Brentwood, New York, to professional basketball. Born on November 16, 2000, Quiñones grew up on Long Island and developed his love for basketball partly through workouts with his father. His family roots extend to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and […]
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Bobby Portis Jr.’s family story is closely connected to the determination that helped him reach the NBA. Born on February 10, 1995, the veteran forward was raised primarily in Little Rock, Arkansas, by his mother, LaTina “Tina” Edwards. He is the oldest of four brothers and has frequently described his mother and younger siblings as […]
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Davion Mitchell’s family has been an important part of his journey from Hinesville, Georgia, to becoming an NBA guard. Born Davion De’Monte Earl Mitchell on September 5, 1998, the Miami Heat player is the son of Lakisha Mitchell and Earl Legette. His mother, grandmother and uncles were especially influential during his childhood and early basketball […]
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Bez Mbeng comes from a large family in Potomac, Maryland, and basketball is already becoming part of the family story. Born on May 2, 2003, the Miami Heat guard grew up with several brothers, including fellow college basketball player Isaiah Mbeng. Public family records identify Peter and Sohair Mbeng as his parents. Mbeng developed from […]
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Pelle Larsson comes from a basketball family that helped shape his journey from Nacka, Sweden, to the NBA. Born on February 23, 2001, the Miami Heat guard is the son of Christian and Frida Larsson. His father played professional basketball in Sweden and represented the Swedish national team, while his older brother, Vilgot Larsson, also […]
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Nikola Jović’s family has played an important role in his journey from England and Serbia to the NBA. Born on June 9, 2003, in Leicester, England, the Miami Heat forward is the son of former professional basketball player Ilija Jović and Svetlana Jović. He also grew up with two sisters, Jelena and Irina. Basketball was […]
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Keshad Johnson’s family has been one of the strongest influences on his journey from West Oakland, California, to the NBA. Born Keshad Ray Johnson on June 23, 2001, the Miami Heat forward is the son of Rochelle Owens and Kenny Johnson Sr. He grew up in a large family with four brothers and one sister. […]
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Tim Hardaway Jr. comes from one of basketball’s best-known father-son families. The veteran NBA guard is the son of Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway Sr. and Yolanda Adkins Hardaway. He also grew up with two younger sisters, Nia and Nina Hardaway, in a close family that spent much of his childhood around professional basketball. […]
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