What Are Pat Connaughton’s Ethnicity and Religion? Everything to Know About Bucks Star’s Family Roots and Faith

“My dad kind of gave me an ultimatum. He said, ‘You can work for me on my construction sites,’ which I did in junior high school, ‘or you can work in the gym and really dedicate yourself to basketball, if that’s what you want. But it’s going to have to be for the same hours that you would be working for me.'”

That moment set the tone for Pat Connaughton’s life, reflecting the values of hard work, discipline, and family pride that have defined both his upbringing and his career. His father’s advice, combined with a deep sense of Irish heritage, shaped him into the versatile athlete he is today—both on and off the basketball court.

While Connaughton’s commitment to sports was clear from an early age, it’s his roots and family values that have truly shaped his identity. Though his basketball journey has taken him from the University of Notre Dame to the Portland Trail Blazers and eventually to the Milwaukee Bucks, Connaughton’s pride in his Irish heritage has remained steadfast.

His story is a reflection of how family and faith can lay the foundation for success. With that in mind, let’s dive deeper into his background and the values that have guided him along the way.

Where is Pat Connaughton from? Milwaukee Bucks forward’s nationality and roots revealed

Pat Connaughton was born Patrick Bergin Connaughton on January 6, 1993, in Arlington, Massachusetts. Thus, making his nationality American. But his ethnicity is not fully American. Yes, you read it right. His roots trace back to Ireland, specifically to County Galway, where both of his grandparents from both sides hail from.

“I’m an Irish citizen. I got a cheat sheet in my pocket for exactly where all of my grandparents are from,” he said in one of his interviews. But do not worry, he doesn’t hold dual citizenship. He’s an American citizen, but with a heart full of strong Irish roots running deep in him. His Irish heritage is something he’s proud of, and he often shares stories about it.

Growing up, Connaughton was immersed in his Irish background. He even took lessons in Irish dancing and learned to play the Irish tin whistle from local musicians in Milwaukee! His commitment to understanding his roots is clear. His family legacy is something he holds dear, and it’s clear his Irish identity shapes much of who he is. With that, let’s take a look at his childhood story.

Did you know he excelled in multiple sports?

At St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts, where he attended high school, he excelled in many sports. It includes scoring, baseball, and basketball. After excelling there, the hooper received scholarship offers from top universities, such as Notre Dame, UCLA, and Vanderbilt. Ultimately, he chose to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he played both basketball and baseball.

In college, his career took a turn to focus on basketball. Notre Dame saw his versatility on the court for four years. With his strong athleticism, leadership, and ability on the end of the court in multiple ways, he declared for the NBA Draft 2015. His dream finally came true when the Brooklyn Nets selected him. However, a quick trade sent him to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he began his NBA journey. And we know what happened next.

With that, let’s look more into his personal details.

What religion does Pat Connaughton follow?

Pat Connaughton comes from a proud Irish Catholic family. His father, Leonard Connaughton, once spoke with pride, and often recalls the family’s deep ties to their religion. “Irish Catholic from Boston,” he said. Growing up, the Connaughton household was filled with Notre Dame memorabilia—a reflection of the family’s connection to both the school and their faith.

Though Notre Dame wasn’t an option early on for the hooper, the Catholic influence remained strong throughout his life. The faith and values instilled in him from his upbringing shaped much of his character. Pat’s upbringing in this Catholic, Irish-American household also gave him a sense of pride and identity that has followed him through his basketball career.

However, there’s no official record of him discussing his religious practices in public. Given his background, it’s clear that Catholicism plays an important role in his life, as it does for many from Irish Catholic families in Boston. His personal values and actions, both on and off the court, reflect the faith of his upbringing.

With Pat Connaughton embracing his Irish roots and Catholic upbringing, it’s clear that faith and family are at the core of his life. Whether it’s the discipline instilled in him by his father or the sense of community fostered by his Catholic values, these influences continue to shape his approach both on and off the court.