Basketball player Naz Reid pursued a sports career, following his football-playing father!
However, it remains unknown what happened to his father. According to the source, Anashia took up the mantle to raise Raid and his two sisters, Toraya and Jakahya.
Naz Reid’s mother, Anashia Smith, worked as a nurse at a nursing home in Long Branch, New Jersey.
She often walked or took the bus to work, enduring long hours to ensure her children had what they needed.
“I think just seeing my mom walk two hours to get to her job, things like that motivated me,” Naz shared in an interview.
Her daily sacrifices left Reid with the impression that he ought to return the favour and make them proud.
It instilled in him a sense of gratitude and a drive to ensure that his mother wouldn’t have to endure such struggles forever.
Naz Reid’s Father Was a Semi Professional Football Player!
Naz Reid was inspired to pursue a career in sports by his father’s passion for athletics. His father, who played semi-professional football, undoubtedly influenced Reid’s decision to follow a similar path.
Although he didn’t reach the heights of the NFL, he lived his dreams through his son Naz Reid.
After ending his athletic career, Naz’s father turned to a construction career to provide for his family.
But his contribution did not stop there; he even coached Naz Reid. “My first coach was my dad,” Naz once disclosed, looking back on his youth playing football.
Reid played mostly football as a child; it was something that he initially pursued under his father’s guidance before choosing basketball.
His father’s example of keeping family first and having a strong work ethic formed the basis of Reid’s motivation to succeed.
Young Naz was aware early in life that sacrifices made by his family were investments in his life.
His parents’ backing during his AAU basketball years gave him the chance to share his talent with a national audience.
“My parents always worked hard,” he explained. “They taught me to stay focused, to push through challenges, and to always give my best effort. That’s why I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am today.”
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Naz Reid’s elder sister, Toraya Reid, played softball at Asbury Park Girls Basketball.
- Despite going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, Reid signed a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves and their G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.
- For the 2023-2024 NBA season, Naz Reid’s salary was $12,950,400, making him the 120th highest-paid player that season.
