It’s a blessing to have a life partner working in the same field as you. Knowing the pressures your partner faces on a personal level can really help ease the pressure. Not a lot of people have that luxury. But the same can’t be said about Cleveland Cavaliers star Sam Merrill.
“We make a great team. Kanyan understands the demands of my career because she was an athlete herself. Her support means everything to me.” That should be enough proof of his unbreakable bond with his wife, Kanyan Merrill. We take a deep dive into their relationship with other aspects of his personal life as well.
Who is Sam Merrill’s wife Kanyan Ward?
Sam met Kanyan Ward back when he was crushing it for the Utah State Aggies. She was also enrolled at USU as a student-athlete, playing for the Aggies’ soccer team. She wasn’t bad herself, playing as one of their star midfielders. In the four years she played for the Aggies, she scored 2 goals and got 6 assists in her 73 appearances. This was enough to earn her a spot in the Academic All-Mountain West 3 times- 2017, 2018, and 2019. It was in May 2018 when they decided to get married.
But before her days playing for the Aggies, she played soccer for the Mountain Crest High School in Hyrum, Utah. This is when her true potential was realised. Kanyan was a four-year letter winner under Coach Dennis Giles. As a senior, she was named to the all-state second team and garnered all-area honours in both 2014 and 2015.
She once had dreams of a career as a professional athlete, but life had other plans. According to the USU website, she was majoring in human development and family studies, but everything changed when she and Sam welcomed their first child, Kendall Miller, on May 10, 2022.
On February 6th, the couple welcomed their second child, Drew Elle Merrill, adding another beautiful chapter to their journey.
She keeps a relatively low-key profile, with her husband Sammy taking most of the public attention in the family. Kanyan is the daughter of Barry and Melinda Ward. She has two younger brothers and one younger sister, making her the eldest child in the family.
Fast forward to 2025, and she’s now embracing a new role—not just as a mother, but as the big sister in their growing family.
Who are Sam Merrill’s parents?
Sam’s athletic genes didn’t just appear out of nowhere—they run straight through his family tree. His parents, John and Jenny Merrill, were both athletes back in their high school days, passing down their competitive spirit to the next generation.
But sports aren’t the only thing they share. Their love for Utah, their alma mater at USU, and their dedication to shaping their kids’ futures all tie them together.
Today, John has built a career in finance, while Jenny devotes her time to being a homemaker, with a strong focus on community service. Her deep connection to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has also played a major role in shaping the family’s values and beliefs.
Sam Merrill’s grounded Christian faith probably became a staple part of his personality when he went on a two-year mission for the LDS to Nicaragua before his freshman year at USU.
“Hard to believe it’s been now 7 years since I left to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Nicaragua. I’m so grateful for the experiences that I had and for all the incredible people that I got to meet while serving the Lord. Would not be where I am today without serving a mission,” he wrote on his Instagram, reminiscing his days giving back to the community.
“She keeps me grounded and focused on what truly matters.” Sam Merrill has not only found someone who understands his problems on a molecular level but also reminds him of his parents’ teachings on being humble and grounded. A match made in heaven? Maybe.
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