When the 2024-25 season wrapped up, the Houston Cougars weren’t just contenders—they were the team to beat. Ranked No. 2 in KenPom, they bulldozed through the Midwest, leaving every opponent in their wake. Purdue came close, but even they fell 62-60. When all hope was lost, Tennessee was supposed to be the answer. Instead, they got dismantled 69-50, with Houston dominating the paint and L.J. Cryer lighting up the scoreboard with 17 points. But Cryer’s story isn’t just about buckets and big moments—it’s about the foundation that built him. So, who are the people behind Houston’s silent assassin?

Who is L.J. Cryer’s father? Was he a professional athlete?

Basketball runs deep in L.J. Cryer’s veins, but his father’s athletic path took a different route. Lionel Cryer Sr. attended Grambling State University in Louisiana, where he was a linebacker for the Tigers. He continued his passion for sports by becoming a teacher in Katy, Texas (according to his LinkedIn account ) and remains deeply involved in the game as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Royal High School in Brookshire, Texas, according to his X account.

“Coaching is a profession of love. You can’t coach people unless you love them,” reads his X account bio, quoting legendary coach Eddie Robinson. That love for coaching and competition undoubtedly shaped L.J., who carries the same relentless drive onto the hardwood.

Who is L.J. Cryer’s mother?

Tamica Cryer, L.J.’s mother, is no stranger to the world of athletics, either. Like her husband, she was a college athlete, playing volleyball at Grambling State University (where they possibly met). But her talents extended beyond the court—she went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Grambling and built a successful career in corporate America. Today, she works as an Advisor in Lease & Contracts Analyst at Oxy in Houston, Texas (According to LinkedIn).

While her professional life took a different path, Tamica remains deeply connected to her son’s basketball journey. After Houston’s Final Four-clinching win, she spoke about what it meant to see L.J. thrive on such a grand stage: “It’s home. It’s a big difference. We’re just super excited.”

What is L.J. Cryer’s parents’ nationality?

Lionel Sr. and Tamica Cryer are American, with roots that trace back to Louisiana. aligning with their time at Grambling State, a historically Black university in Grambling, Louisiana.

L.J. himself was born in New Orleans on October 9, 2001, before the family settled in Katy, Texas, per his UH Athletics bio. This Louisiana-to-Texas arc isn’t just geography—it’s a cultural thread tying the Cryers to Southern athletic traditions.

Does L.J. Cryer have siblings?

Athleticism runs in the Cryer family. L.J.’s younger brother, Justin, followed in their father’s footsteps, playing football at Royal High School in Brookshire, Texas—the same school where Lionel Cryer Sr. serves as defensive coordinator.

With Houston just two wins away from a national championship, L.J. Cryer carries not only the hopes of Cougar fans but also the legacy of a family steeped in sports. As he steps onto the court against Duke, the lessons instilled by his parents—discipline, determination, and a deep love for the game—will be on full display.