Cousins guarding cousins, brothers trying to outscore brothers—if the NBA playoffs feel like a family reunion lately, you’re not wrong. Just look at Nickeil Alexander-Walker trying to slow down his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the Western Conference Finals. Now, imagine another fun family twist: this time in the east, Jalen Suggs picking up Tyrese Haliburton at half-court in a tense Pacers-Magic Eastern Conference Finals showdown. Sure, Haliburton’s battling a different Jalen right now (shoutout to Brunson), but you get the idea. Because here’s the thing—Suggs and Haliburton are related too. 

So, how exactly are they connected? Let’s break it down.

What is the relation between Jalen Suggs and Tyrese Haliburton?

You might’ve seen Haliburton dishing out flashy assists for Indiana or Suggs locking down scorers for Orlando, but behind the jerseys and highlight reels is a family link most fans would never guess. Well, to keep it simple, Suggs and Haliburton are cousins—yes, cousins—adding yet another branch to the NBA’s sprawling family tree. It gets even more interesting. Jalen’s father, Larry Suggs, is the second cousin of NFL great Terrell Suggs, and that connection doesn’t stop there.

Jalen is also a cousin of former NBA All-Star Eddie Jones and, of course, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. That makes the Suggs-Haliburton connection more than a coincidence—it’s a full-on athletic dynasty. More importantly, the Suggs name has been etched into Minnesota’s sports history for decades, but Jalen’s story feels destined to be the headline. His dad, Larry Suggs, remembers him stickhandling at hockey games before he could tie his own skates. “He can’t skate, but s—, man, he can shoot.”

Who is Jalen Suggs? Which team does he play for?

Currently, Suggs is a defensive anchor and clutch shot-maker for the Orlando Magic, where he averages 16.2 points per game. Born on June 3, 2001, Jalen Suggs rose to fame after a legendary buzzer-beater for Gonzaga in the 2021 NCAA Tournament Final Four—a shot that instantly put him on the map. 

Selected fifth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Magic, Suggs brought his elite two-way game to a young, rebuilding Orlando squad. But before he was a top-five NBA Draft pick, Jalen Suggs was a dual-sport legend in Minnesota. He wasn’t just winning games—he was redefining what was possible for kids his age. As his high school teammate Chet Holmgren recalls, “We were third-graders playing sixth-grade basketball. And he’s still putting up 25 points on people that are like three, four years older than him. He’s been good since day one.”

And while his offensive game continues to evolve, it’s his leadership, toughness, and relentless hustle that have made him a fan favorite.

Which college did Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Suggs attend?

Though they’re family, Jalen and Tyrese took different collegiate routes before making their mark in the NBA. Suggs suited up for the powerhouse Gonzaga Bulldogs, where everyone who came across the youngster was left amazed! Take Corey Kispert, the Wizards’ forward/guard, for instance. Suggs’ senior then, Kispert still can’t forget a play by the freshman in a 23-point Zags victory over the University of San Francisco.

“There’s a video of him out there throwing a full-court, one-handed pass to [Dominick Harris], and he puts a spin on it too, so it hits the ground and checks up back to [Harris],” Kispert said. “Super-tough pass. I was kind of running the wing when it happened. I didn’t realize all the hands it had to go through in order to make it. That’s definitely like a QB1 kind of a pass.”

No surprise there, really. Suggs had, after all, become the first athlete in Minnesota’s history to bag Mr. Basketball and Mr. Football in the same academic year!

Haliburton, for his part, made waves at Iowa State University, where his smooth passing and high IQ instantly caught scouts’ attention. Both carved out unique college legacies, but their shared DNA seems to carry one common trait—floor vision and fearlessness.

Who else is Jalen Suggs related to?

Well, Jalen Suggs is related to a lineup of sports royalty. In fact, most people he is related to are so athletic that they are playing in leagues at the pinnacle of the sports world:

Terrell Suggs
Jalen’s second cousin, Terrell Suggs, is a Super Bowl champion and one of the most feared linebackers in NFL history. He spent most of his career with the Baltimore Ravens before finishing with the Arizona Cardinals.

Eddie Jones
Another cousin, Eddie Jones, had a stellar NBA career across teams like the Lakers, Hornets, and Heat. A three-time All-Star, Jones was known for his smooth perimeter game and lockdown defense.

Hailey Van Lith

Oh, and here’s a little extra sauce for the Suggs story—Jalen Suggs isn’t just connected to basketball royalty by blood. He’s dating Hailey Van Lith. They confirmed their relationship with a kiss after Van Lith was drafted by the Chicago Sky in April 2025.

Tyrese Haliburton
And finally, there’s Tyrese—Jalen’s cousin and court rival. As the face of the Pacers and one of the NBA’s premier young playmakers, Haliburton is carving out his own legacy, just like Suggs. But the Suggs athletic legacy runs even deeper than just the headliners.

Before Jalen, before even Larry Suggs, there was Rickey Suggs—Larry’s cousin and a pillar of the family’s Minnesota sports roots. A 1980 Mr. Basketball finalist from St. Paul Central, Rickey helped set the tone for the family’s competitive fire. He played college ball at Nebraska-Omaha, dabbled in pro football with the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos, and stayed a fixture in the Twin Cities hoops scene for years. His own kids—Raena, Rickey Jr., and Renard—were standout athletes too, and like so many in the Suggs clan, they each carved out their own legacy on the court. In the Suggs family, sports isn’t just passion—it’s a generational language.

And as for Jalen Suggs and Tyrese Haliburton, whether or not they ever share a team or square off in a playoff series, one thing’s for sure: the Suggs-Haliburton bloodline is one that has given the NBA great athletes. And, after reading this article, if you’re wondering just how many family ties exist across the league… this duo is just the beginning.