“Always Know You With Me”: Trae Young Reminisces Late Family Member in Heartfelt IG Post

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, who is renowned for his thrilling on-court performance, exhibited a more sentimental side off the court today. In a rather emotional Instagram story, the player took an opportunity to express his love for his late grandfather who passed away last year.

Young shared a clip on Instagram, highlighting his visit to the cemetery. The caption read, “Always know you with me Grandpa! So had to come say hi.” Trae still holds his grandfather close to his heart and shared a special bond with him. Young had shared the news of his grandfather’s demise in April last year through a tweet. He said, “Heaven got brighter overnight.. rest easy Grandpa, please protect us now. Love on your family.” 

Young’s life continues to be impacted by his grandfather’s memory. The Hawks point guard, who has frequently discussed the value of family, took a break from his hectic schedule to pay his respects, exemplifying the enduring principles that direct him in both his personal and professional life.

Well-known for his sharpshooting, floor awareness, and game-changing plays, Young demonstrated that he has a compassionate side that is closely rooted in his family and personal history.

The player has always expressed love for his other grandfather, who passed away when he was 10. His paternal grandfather, who raised him, was his “biggest inspiration.” Here’s how Trae Young’s grandfather helped blossom one of the best offensive players in the league.

Trae Young’s biggest inspiration in ball was his grandfather

In 2009, Rayford Young I, Young’s grandfather, passed away in Pampa, Texas, from cancer at the age of fifty-two. In a March 23, 2020, Twitter Q&A, Young cited his grandfather as his “biggest inspiration in life and ball,” demonstrating the significant influence he had on his path.

Trae comes from a family of hoopers. His father, Rayford Young, claims that his own father was a “great player from what I was always told—cat quick, could shoot it better than Trae, with the same range, and was super competitive.” Rayford Young, a star basketball player for Texas Tech who scored 1,525 points between 1996 and 2000, talked about how Trae was impacted by his father’s legacy. While Trae stayed with his grandparents in Pampa, a relationship that would determine his career, Rayford played professionally in several other nations.

Trae’s grandfather was a pillar for him. “He wanted me to be the first one to make it to the highest level, the NBA,” Trae recounted. “My dad did a little bit, but my grandfather always knew I was going to be the next one.” Their upbringing had a massive impact on his mindset. “Where I grew up, there were a lot of white kids around. I was told that I had to be two times better and [that] they would get recognition before a Black kid. That was the way my grandparents raised me. That was my mindset. That was always on the top of my mind when I was in high school.”

Trae Young’s NBA career exceeded his grandfather’s predictions. His moving homage to his grandfather shows how the young star is grateful for his roots and those who helped him get here.