What is L.J. Cryer’s Ethnicity & Religion? Digging Deeper Into Houston Star’s Nationality and Family Background

At this point, L.J. Cryer has mastered cutting down nets. Every piece of nylon he’s removed throughout his career—whether at Baylor or Houston—has only added to his growing legend. “Since I started playing sports, I have played to win,” Cryer once said. “I want people to look at me as a winner.” And well, mission accomplished. The basketball world already does.

Despite dealing with a nagging foot injury during his sophomore season, Cryer made sure every minute he spent on the court was memorable. The 2023 season didn’t bring Baylor a third straight conference title, but Cryer leveled up. Every aspect of his game improved, and then he made the move to Houston. That’s where he became the Cougars’ top scorer, leading them all the way to the Final Four.

Where is L.J. Cryer from? What’s his nationality?

L.J. Cryer is as American as it gets. Born in New Orleans but raised in Katy, Texas, he grew up in a sports-obsessed household. And when we say sports-obsessed, we mean it. Saying the Cryers are an athletic family is like saying the Mannings know a thing or two about football. I’s an understatement. 

His father, Lionel Cryer, was a linebacker at Grambling State and even landed in the school’s Hall of Fame. His mom, Tamica, was a volleyball star. And his younger brother, Justin—better known as Juice—plays linebacker at Florida State. So, basically, if you ever get an invite to a Cryer family holiday pickup game, you better bring your A-game. 

“My brother played football,” Lionel Cryer Sr. said. “A cousin played at Nebraska. It’s a football family.” L.J. himself dabbled in football, even playing quarterback. But even though high school coaches were impressed by his arm, the football dream never had a real shot. Basketball had already claimed him. 

“It didn’t really matter because he’d go to school, sixth grade, dribbling the basketball,” his dad recalled. “He was still playing football, but he’d dribble the basketball to school every day.” By eighth grade, Cryer had made up his mind: basketball was the only path. 

Not that his parents needed convincing—their kitchen floor had taken years of punishment from his non-stop dribbling sessions.

Which high school did L.J. Cryer attend?

Cryer took his talents to Morton Ranch High School, where he quickly became a legend. By the time he graduated, he had scored a ridiculous 3,488 points—fifth-most in Texas public school history and the highest ever in Houston area public schools.

His high school résumé is Stacked. TABC Class 6A All-State Team. District 19-6A MVP. A 34.2 points-per-game average as a senior while shooting 55% from the field and 44% from three. Oh, and he broke Morton Ranch’s single-season scoring record with 1,164 points. Just casual high school dominance.

Back in 2020, after putting together one of the best seasons in Texas high school basketball history, Cryer was once again named District MVP. He averaged 38.9 points during district play, dropped 50 points in a single game, and hit 50 three-pointers in just 12 district matchups.

And you know an interesting fact, his biggest rival in high school was none other than his former teammate Jamal Shead. The two used to go head-to-head in AAU tournaments as kids, and Cryer won every time. “He’s been kicking my a-s for a couple years,” Shead joked after Cryer transferred to Houston.

Once teammates, they built one of the best backcourts in the country and led Cougars to a 30-win season. The goal was to bring the first national championship. But, unfortunately, they fell short last year, losing to Duke in the Sweet 16. However, this season, Cryer is keeping that dream alive, averaging 15.4 points and 2.3 rebounds (as of April 2025, before heading to Final Four) and leading the team. Let’s see if he can finish the unfinished business! 

What is L.J. Cryer’s ethnicity?

Well, there’s no official information on this. As for his religion, L.J. Cryer has not publicly spoken much about his faith. However, given his upbringing in Texas, a state with a significant Christian population, it is possible he follows Christianity. Many athletes lean on their faith throughout their careers, but without direct statements from the baller himself, his religious beliefs remain private.