Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe was encouraged by his parents early to follow his basketball dreams.
Additionally, his parents were the first to recognize his talent for the sport and supported him in starting his basketball journey.
Sharpe grew up with his parents and siblings in London, Ontario, where he also first started playing the sport.
Meanwhile, Shaedon is quickly gaining recognition as a rising basketball prodigy, all thanks to his impressive skills and dynamic play on the court.
Furthermore, the 21-year-old credits his success to his parents, who have been his rock through thick and thin.
Shaedon Sharpe’s Parents, Robery and Julia Sharpe, Have Supported Him From the Beginning of His Career to His Rise as an NBA Star
Shaedon Sharpe was born to his parents, Robert Sharpe and Julia Sharpe in London, Ontario.
Robert, who was passionate about football and basketball in his youth, was thrilled when his son developed an interest in playing the same sports.
When the NBA player first started, his parents spared no effort in providing him with the best training and facilities.
Sharpe’s parents often drove long hours after work to take him to training sessions, ensuring he received the best coaching.
Years later, Shaedon’s parents stood proudly by his side when the NBA drafted him in 2022.
🇨🇦🏀🍁 Shaedon Sharpe and the family. 👀#NBADraft #NBA #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/pd1oKNt04A
— blank (@ejsilvaBB) June 24, 2022
His parents also shared their memories with the London Free Press, recalling how Shaedon first picked up a basketball at around three years old and had a mini-basketball net set up in the house, where he would often play with his siblings.
Further, the 21-year-old also played basketball at the YMCA, and his parents took him to a tryout with Gold Medal in London, though they had to return later because there weren’t enough players in his age group for a team.
Rob even recalled when the basketball player was cut from the Ontario provincial U15 team. Shaedon went to his father, who encouraged him to come back stronger, saying:
I remember walking out of the gym and Shae saying he got cut and ‘I can’t believe it’ I just told him with every disappointment, you always come back better and stronger. So just put your head down, grind away and use that as your fuel to prove you’re actually a top player.
Since then, Rob and Julia have supported their son at many of his games, including his game in Toronto in 2023.
When CTV News spoke with his mother, Julia, she expressed her joy of watching her son play in his homeland, saying:
We’re all sitting in the same section, and it’s going to be amazing. JUst to see our boy playing on an NBA court in the same city that we used to drive him to practice it’s going to be surreAl.
Shaedon Sharpe's family pulled up for his first game in Toronto! ❤️🇨🇦 @ShaedonSharpe @Kayla_Grey pic.twitter.com/GfoGkEJPWr
— THE SHIFT (@theshift_sports) January 8, 2023
Nonetheless, Shaedon Sharpe continues to make his mark on the court, as his story serves as an inspiring example of how family support can fuel big dreams.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Shaedon Sharpe was a consensus five-star recruit out of high school primarily because of his huge success at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League in 2021.
- Sharpe committed to playing college basketball for Kentucky despite receiving offers from Arizona, Kansas, and Oklahoma State.
- In 2022, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Shaedon as the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
