“It was the hardest decision I never had to make…,” a hurt Meyers Leonard said when the 33-year-old came to know he wouldn’t be able to step onto the NBA hardwood. Though he came as a promise, his career was short-lived due to injuries, and finally, it overpowered his career. To the extent that he played just 3 games in season 2021 and missed season 2022 entirely. Yes, he made a return in season 2023 but played just 9 games. No wonder Leonard went unsigned in season 2024. Having missed two consecutive seasons now, it was only time that the former Portland Trail Blazers star announced his retirement from the league.
However, he was not completely shattered by this development in his life. “Every goodbye has led to something good,” Leonard wrote in his announcement post. Well, retirement certainly does give you time with family that athletes miss during their time in the league. However, not much is known about his family. So let’s have a closer look at the lesser-known personal life of the ex-Blazer.
How was Meyers Leonard’s childhood as far as his parents are concerned?
The NBA is glamorous, but not every NBA player grows up with the luxury of a stable home, and Meyers Leonard’s childhood was anything but easy. His story is one of loss, struggle, and resilience—a journey shaped by tragedy but also by the strength of the people around him.
But before we dive, let’s know how was Leonard’s father’s life. His father, James, was a former golf pro at the Crawford County Country Club. But in an instant, everything changed. A bicycle accident in the middle of town left James with a fatal head injury, a loss that shattered the family. Imagine being just a kid and suddenly losing your father—your protector, your role model. It’s the kind of heartbreak no child should have to endure.
For Leonard’s mother, Tracie, the pain wasn’t just emotional—it was physical too. She suffered from chronic back pain, walking with a cane and rarely leaving the house. Those who didn’t know her made assumptions, as people often do. But those close to her saw the truth. As per an article by CantonRep.com, she was a determined and detail-oriented woman who had a bigger impact on her sons than anyone gave her credit for.
“People sit back and think Tracie turned those boys loose and didn’t have a major impact in their lives,” said Mitch Hannahs, a former Lincoln Trail College baseball coach. “That’s the furthest thing from the truth. She’s done a tremendous job. They’d do anything for anybody. Those boys know right and wrong.” Despite her support, was she able to be in her sons’ games?
Credits: Meyers Leonard’s Instagram
Despite her influence, Tracie wasn’t able to watch Leonard play basketball regularly until his senior year. Even though he spent a lot of time at the University of Illinois, his official visit felt different—it mattered more—because his mother was able to make the trip with him.
As for Meyers Leonard’s father, the former Portland Trail Blazers star doesn’t talk about his father often, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel the void. As mentioned in the article by CantonRep.com, the longing for a complete family is something he carries with him—literally. A tattoo stretching across his back is a permanent tribute: “Leonard” in cursive, a ribbon inscribed with “family,” and the initials of his father, mother, and brother, Bailey. It’s a reminder of where he comes from and the people who shaped him. But was there anyone else behind him?
Leonard didn’t make it to the NBA alone. Three men played critical roles in his life: a surrogate father, a mentor who wasn’t afraid to challenge him, and a tough youth coach. “He’s had it rough,” said Brian Siler, a Robinson insurance agent whom Leonard sees as a stepfather. “When you lose your dad that young and mom isn’t working and not healthy anyway, he’s not had it easy. For him, getting a new pair of jeans was a big deal.”
Siler started as a mentor but became so much more—a guiding hand when Leonard needed it most. And with that support, Leonard didn’t just survive—he thrived. However, this wasn’t the only family Leonard had while growing up.
A closer look at the siblings of Meyers Leonard
Meyers’s journey in basketball has always been shaped by family, including his two older brothers. Sadly, one of them, Christian Juracich, passed away in 2020. A heartbreaking loss that no doubt left a lasting impact on Meyers and those who knew Christian.
His other brother, Bailey Leonard, took a very different path. While Meyers was making a name for himself on the court, Bailey was serving his country as a U.S. Marine, even completing a deployment in Afghanistan. Despite their separate worlds, the bond between them remained unshaken.
In 2012, fans got to witness just how deep that bond was. Meyers was invited onto CBS This Morning, where he sat down with Bailey to relive one of the most emotional moments of his life—a surprise visit from his brother during a University of Illinois basketball practice in 2011.
Credits: Meyers Leonard’s Instagram
“It was such a real moment,” Meyers recalled. “I hadn’t seen him in so long. There were so many emotions running through my body. I was so excited to see him. I was relieved that he was finally back.” You can almost feel the rush of emotions just by reading his words.
Bailey, too, shared his side of the unforgettable moment. “It had been about nine months… I didn’t have phone or internet service on a regular basis. His girlfriend actually sent me a long message on Facebook, saying, ‘We have this idea.’” From there, the plan came together, with the coaching staff helping to set up the surprise.
Moments like these remind us of the power of family. Whether stable or not, these family bonds are what shaped Meyers Leonard into the person and player he became. No matter where he heads in his new life, his on-court journey does leave behind an impact, and it is for basketball lovers to know that there are players who cracked the NBA from the rugs.
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