Who are Trae Young’s parents? Meet Candice and Rayford Young

The NBA star’s rise to fame has often spotlighted not just his on-court skills but also the strong family support behind him. So, who are Trae Young’s parents? He was born to Candice and Rayford Young. They played a major role in shaping his personal values and basketball journey.

Key takeaways

• Candice Dawn and Rayford Young met in high school in Pampa, Texas,
• Both parents played collegiate basketball at Texas Tech.
• Candice became pregnant with Trae when she was 19 and Rayford was 20, during his junior year.
• The Youngs have four children: Trae (born 1998), followed by daughter Caitlyn (1999), daughter Camryn (2002), and son Timothy.
• After college, Rayford played briefly for the Houston Rockets, then in Portugal with FC Porto.

Profile summary

Who are Trae Young’s parents?

His parents are Candice and Rayford Young. His father comes from a mixed ethnic background of African-American, while his mother is of white ethnicity. Although Trae’s parents are famous in their own right, they are more popular because of their family relationship with the NBA star.

Who is Trae Young's father?

Rayford is a former American professional basketball player and businessperson. He was born on 5 November 1977 in Pampa, Texas, United States of America. He is an American national of African-American heritage.

After completing his high school education, the father of four attended Texas Tech University, where he studied Business Finance from 1996 to 2000. He also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Management from Southern Nazarene University.

Rayford played basketball for Texas Tech. He later played for half a season in the NBA with the Houston Rockets before pursuing a professional basketball career in Europe. He played in Europe for a number of teams, including FC Porto, in Portugal but later ended his professional career and took an assistant coaching job in Oklahoma.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Trae Young's dad is the CEO of Young Family Enterprises. He worked as a territory manager at Inc.Vascular, Inc. from September 2014 to April 2018. Before that, he was a clinical sales specialist at Spectranetics in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He also worked as a medical device sales representative at Teleflex Incorporated from March 2009 to February 2013.

Who is Trey Young's mother?

Trae’s mother is called Candice Dawn Young, a former professional basketball player. She was born on 11 January 1979 in Lubbock, Texas, United States. She is an American national of white ethnicity. She is a strong Christian believer.

Candice’s parents are Paul Lee (father) and Vicki Nachttigal (mother). She grew up alongside three siblings, two sisters named Chandra and Charity and a brother named Joshua.

Candice completed her secondary education at Pampa High School and later enrolled at Texas Tech University. She also played college basketball. Furthermore, she worked as Chilli'ser at Chilli's Grill & Bar.

How did Trae Young’s parents meet?

Candice and Rayford met while attending Texas Tech University in 1994. The pair began dating shortly after that and tied the knot on 2 August 2000. Together, they share four children named Trae, Caitlyn, Camryn, and Timothy. Trae parents live in Norman, Oklahoma, United States.

Who is Trae Young?

Trae Young is a professional basketball player in the NBA, known for his exceptional shooting range, playmaking skills, and leadership on the court. As the star point guard for the Atlanta Hawks, he quickly became one of the league’s most exciting young talents.

How old is Trae Young?

Born on September 19, 1998, Trae Young is age26 years old as of June 2025.

Trae Young's height

He stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall (1.85 meters), a relatively modest height by NBA standards, but his skill set and court vision more than compensate for it.

Trae Young's ethnicity

Trae Young is of mixed ethnicity—his father, Rayford Young, is African-American, and his mother, Candice, is Caucasian. This diverse background has influenced both his identity and his approach to the game.

Trae Young’s family members

The American NBA star grew up in Pampa, Texas, USA, alongside three siblings, two sisters named Caitlyn and Camryn and a brother named Timothy. Trae is the oldest among his three siblings. His sister Caitlyn is a high school volleyball player.

Where is Trae Young's family from?

His family background is deeply rooted in Norman, Oklahoma, alongside his birthplace in Lubbock, Texas.

He played at the local YMCA and youth leagues, attended Norman North High School, and grew up a devoted Sooners fan—indeed he was a ball boy for OU games.

Who is Trae Young's wife?

He is married to Shelby Miller. They share a deep-rooted, enduring relationship. Born on October 25, 1995, in Norman, Oklahoma, Shelby earned a degree in communication and media from the University of Oklahoma and was a standout cheerleader during her college years.

How did Trae and Shelby meet?

They first crossed paths at the University of Oklahoma in 2017, where Shelby was a cheerleader and Trae was playing basketball. After several years together, Trae proposed to Shelby in December 2021. The couple tied the knot on July 22, 2023, during an elegant destination wedding at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

What does Trae Young's wife do?

While not pursuing a high-profile career, she plays a key behind-the-scenes role—helping plan their wedding, attending games and events, and frequently featured courtside alongside Trae.

Shelby supports Trae’s philanthropic efforts, including the Trae Young Family Foundation, which provides mental health resources and athletic opportunities in their hometown of Norman, Oklahoma.

Who is Trae Young's baby mama?

Shelby is the mother of Trae's child. They welcomed their son, Tydus Reign, in June 2022, then married in July 2023 at a picturesque destination wedding in the Bahamas. In November 2023, they welcomed their daughter, Teal Dove Young.

Trae Young's stats and achievements

The NBA star played college basketball at the University of Oklahoma during the 2017–2018 season. In terms of stats, Young averages around 25 points and 9–10 assists per game, consistently ranking among the NBA’s leaders in assists. His scoring and passing abilities have made him a central figure in the offence since being drafted in 2018.

He earned his first NBA All-Star selection in 2020 and has been selected multiple times since, reflecting his elite status in the league. He is a dynamic, high-impact NBA player known for his offensive brilliance, standout stats, and rising star power in the All-Star conversation, backed by a unique story and diverse ethnicity.

His NBA honours include:

• 1 All-NBA
• 1 All-Rookie Team
• 3 NBA All-Star
• 9 NBA Player of the Week
• 4 NBA Rookie of the Month

Trae Young's shoe signatures

The athlete's shoes are part of his signature line with Adidas, designed for speed, agility, and style. The models are as follows;

• Adidas Trae Young 1: Debuted in 2021, features BOOST + LIGHTSTRIKE cushioning, a laceless design.
• Trae Young 2: Released in 2022, improved fit with knit upper and responsive feel.
• Trae Young 3: Latest model, bold designs, cultural editions like Día De Los Muertos.

How much is Tare Young worth?

As of 2025, his wealth is estimated at around $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He has massive investment and property including a $1.5 million home in Oklahoma he purchased in 2019 and a $20 million mansion in Calabasas, California, he bought in December 2022.

Who are Trae Young’s parents? They are the foundation behind his success. With Rayford’s athletic background and Candice’s steady guidance, the Young family remains a clear example of how strong parental support can help nurture greatness both on and off the court.

Legit.ng recently published Caroline Smedvig’s biography. Caroline Smedvig is a former American journalist and musician. She was born on 31 May 1953 in Albany, New York, United States, but currently resides in Lenox, Massachusetts, USA. She has been married to James Taylor since February 2001.

Caroline Smedvig previously worked as a public relations and marketing director at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She is, however, known for being the wife of the prominent American singer-songwriter James Taylor. Caroline worked for numerous media networks, including Knickerbocker News, New York Times, and The Associated Press.

Source: Legit.ng