“My goal is to be the best player in the NBA. That’s what I’m focusing on each and every day.” That’s not just a soundbite from Trae Young; it’s the mindset he wakes up with. No fluff, no filters. Just focus. From the flashy threes to the cold-blooded floaters, everything he does on the court ties back to that goal. He’s not chasing fame or likes—he’s chasing greatness. And whether people rank him on their favorite list or not, he’s still working every time with the Atlanta Hawks and making everything worth it. So, now that’s a lot about his on-the-court goals, but to even reach here, he had some people all the time behind him with the best support. His family! Let’s explore his family and their story.
Was Trae Young’s father a basketball player? Taking a deeper look into his family background.
Trae Young was born in Lubbock, Texas, on September 19, 1998, while both of his parents were still in college. His dad, Rayford Young, is African American, and his mom, Candice Young (née Dawn), is white Caucasian. That makes Trae biracial—a part of his identity that’s shaped how he sees the world and carries himself on and off the court.
Now, about his dad—yes, Rayford Young was a basketball player. And not just someone who dabbled. He really played.
Ray played for Texas Tech in the late 1990s and dropped 17.8 points per game across his college career. Now, that’s not a small thing. He wasn’t just a rotation guy; he was the kind of guard who got buckets, got the crowd loud, and made people wonder if the NBA was next.
He got a shot. Briefly, with the Houston Rockets. But the league didn’t stick. So, like a lot of talented players, Rayford went overseas. He played professionally in Europe, including a stop with FC Porto in Portugal. We know that you must have heard much about that part of his journey, but it shaped everything—his mindset, his love for the game, and probably how he raised Trae.
Eventually, his dad stepped away from basketball and got into the medical equipment business. But hoops never really left. It just got passed down. However, on the other hand, his mother, Candice, was the daughter of a pastor and went to the same college as her husband at Texas Tech University. Being the daughter of a pastor, it’s obvious that her faith is strong, and she passed her faith to her son.
What’s cool is, while her mother made him love God, his father made him fall in love with hoops. But he didn’t force his son; it was all Trae’s decision if he wanted to pressure or not. Even though he grew up in a basketball house, yeah, it wasn’t all pressure and drills. Still, having a dad who lived the grind definitely helped. Rayford knew what film to study, how to ignore the noise, and how to stay ready. You can see that influence in how Trae plays—sharp, confident, and aware.
He isn’t one to stay quiet when it comes to his son. Once, after the Hawks’ latest matchup, he hopped on social media, calling out the national media for not giving Trae his flowers as a passer. “They’ll say he’s not a top 10 passer,” he wrote. Then added something honest: “This journey has gone WAY BEYOND what I ever dreamed of for him.” You could feel the pride, but also the fire. He made it clear—Trae’s not chasing media love. He’s chasing something bigger. Wins. Legacy. And yeah, maybe a little respect along the way wouldn’t hurt.
However, keeping all this aside, what’s cool is how the parents raised their kids. Rayford and Candice, as we know, had Trae while they were both still students, which is not easy. But they figured it out together, and one can feel that bond. Whenever Rayford posts about Trae, it’s proud—but it’s also full of respect. Now that we have looked at his parents, let’s also look at whether he has any siblings.
Does Trae Young have any siblings?
Yep, Trae Young has three siblings—one younger brother and two younger sisters.
His younger brother, Timothy Young, is already turning heads, and the interesting part is that he is just 13 years old. He plays for Team Trae Young, the AAU squad Trae founded back in 2018. It’s not just a team—it’s kind of a family project. Rayford Young, their dad, runs the program as director, and Trae stays involved, too.
You know about Tim’s game? That’s legit. He’s already nearly Trae’s height and has a smooth handle, confidence, and a real feel for the game. Trae even called him “Trae Younger” on Instagram, reposting clips of Tim balling out and noting how fast he’s growing—literally and as a player.
Timothy and his team recently won the 2024 MADE Hoops championship, one of the biggest youth events in the country. For someone in the Class of 2029, that’s no small thing. A lot of scouts are already keeping tabs.
Besides Tim, Trae also has two younger sisters, though they keep a lower profile. The Young family seems tight and supportive, and basketball runs deep through all of it.
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