The 26-year-old is the oldest among four children.
Trae Young, the dynamic point guard for the Atlanta Hawks, has become a household name in the NBA.
Behind the scenes, his success is deeply rooted in the support and influence of his parents, Rayford and Candice Young.
Trae Young is averaging 16.4 PPG, 16.2 APG, 2.2 SPG over his last 5 games, scoring or assisting on 48% of the Atlanta Hawks points 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/xxHDfr59Bl
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) November 29, 2024
Born on September 19, 1998, in Lubbock, Texas, and raised in Pampa, Texas, with a younger brother and two younger sisters, Young’s rise to basketball stardom has been shaped by the quality upbringing of his family.
Trae was introduced to basketball at a young age by his father, Rayford Young, a former professional player.
Rayford played college basketball for Texas Tech before briefly joining the NBA with the Houston Rockets.
Although his NBA career was short, Rayford’s experience in the game laid the foundation for Trae’s career-making interest in the sport.
After leaving the NBA, Rayford continued his career in Europe, playing for FC Porto in Portugal, before eventually settling back in Oklahoma, where he pursued a career in coaching and medical equipment sales.
During Rayford’s time in Europe, Trae was raised by his mother and paternal grandparents back home.
It's Been Boomer Sooner‼️ #HornsDown pic.twitter.com/VIdEpLh1sz
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) October 14, 2017
Candice Young, Trae’s mother, was also a student at Texas Tech, where she met Rayford.
Hailing from a pastoral family, Candice raised her children with a strong sense of faith and moral grounding.
She has always been a supportive presence in Trae’s life, attending his games during his father’s playing days and continuing to cheer for him as his career advanced.
At some point in his youth, the Young family moved to Norman, Oklahoma, where Trae attended the Norman North High School.
It was here that Trae’s basketball abilities started showing.
His high school career reached new heights during his senior year, when he averaged 42.6 points per game, earning him national attention.
His father’s coaching career and the influence of Candice’s strong religious background created a nurturing environment that emphasized hard work.
Young’s college career at the University of Oklahoma was equally remarkable.
As a freshman, he led the NCAA in both points and assists, establishing himself as a top prospect.
Trae entered the NBA draft in 2018 and was selected by the Dallas Mavericks, though he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he would go on to become an NBA All-Star.
Trae Young was SPECIAL at Oklahoma 🔥
— Lucas (@redcooteay) February 22, 2024
Led the country in points and assists as a freshman. (27.4 PPG, 8.7 APG)
Some of his stat lines
48 PTS, 8 AST
44 PTS, 9 AST
43 PTS, 7 AST
39 PTS, 14 AST
26 PTS, 22 AST
Idk if we’ll ever see anything like this again pic.twitter.com/FKbUo5Dj2v
Now, as one of the NBA’s brightest stars, Trae Young continues to make waves with his incredible shooting range and court vision.
His parents, Rayford and Candice, have remained a constant source of support through all the highs and lows of his career.
Their influence is evident in how Trae carries himself both on and off the court—confident, focused, and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Trae Young is married to Shelby Miller, his high school sweetheart. They have two children: a son named Tydus Reign Young and a daughter named Teal Dove Young.
- Trae’s nickname, “Ice Trae,” comes not only from his clutch performances on the court but also from his partnership with Adidas, which has featured the name in his sneaker line.
