

It’s wild how fast things can change in the NBA. One minute you’re a kid playing ball at a small Christian school in Georgia, and the next, boom, you’re draining clutch threes in front of thousands. That’s exactly what’s happening with Ben Sheppard. The Pacers rookie has been catching eyes with his smooth shot and quiet poise. But now that he’s earning real rotation minutes and showing he belongs, fans are starting to ask: who is Ben Sheppard, really? More importantly, who are the people that shaped him before the bright lights of the NBA? Here’s everything we know about Ben’s family, upbringing, and the values that continue to guide him.
Who are Ben Sheppard’s Parents, David and Susan Shepard?
Ben Sheppard was born on July 16, 2001, to David and Susan Sheppard, right in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. And they’re the bedrock that belie his journey to the NBA. While Ben’s been making headlines in Indiana, David and Susan were the ones cheering from the sidelines way before anyone else knew his name.
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They’ve kept things pretty low-key, which honestly says a lot. No over-the-top media moments, no flashy spotlights; just steady, unwavering support. And that’s part of what makes Ben so grounded. You can tell he was raised right. From the outside looking in, the Sheppards seem like the kind of family that sticks together, win or lose. And with Ben making moves in the NBA, they’ve clearly been doing something right.
When did Susan meet David Sheppard?
Okay, this is where things get tricky, because honestly? There’s no official word out there about how or when David and Susan Sheppard first met. No sweet backstory, no high school sweetheart details, nothing in the public record.
But hey, not every player’s family story is out in the open. Some folks just like to keep that stuff private. And you know what? That’s totally fair. What we do know is that they built something real: a family full of love, discipline, and heart. And Ben is living proof of that.
Still, if they ever decide to share their story down the road, you just know it’s going to be special.
What’s your perspective on:
Is Ben Sheppard's grounded upbringing the secret to his early NBA success?
Have an interesting take?
What ethnicity are Ben Sheppard’s parents?
Now, we know a lot about Ben Sheppard. We know he was a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. We know steadily growing into a rotation role with the Indiana Pacers. But the one thing about Ben Sheppard that is not clear is his ethnicity. You see, Ben likes to keep that part of his life private.
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Owing to that fact, we’re also in the dark about his parents’ ethnicities. There may come a day when Ben or maybe one of his parents mentions their ethnicity in an interview, perhaps a memoir. But till then, speculate and wonder is all we can do.
Who is Ben Sheppard’s Sister? How many siblings does the Pacers star have?
Ben Sheppard’s bond with his family? It’s real. It’s deep. You could feel it that night in Boston, his first big moment in the league. When he knocked down that bucket? Fifty; yeah, fifty of his family members were there in the stands, screaming their hearts out from a suite. All rocking his jersey. All there for him. He said it himself: “It was definitely cool to see all those familiar faces. Especially to get my first bucket.” His parents were there, but guess who else was there that night? His younger sister, Sidney.
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See, as far as siblings go, Ben Sheppard has a younger sister… But that’s about all the information that’s available about her. Even so, we can tell one thing — they’re really tight. After all, you kind of have to be after travelling to Boston for your sibling’s big moment.
Ben Sheppard may be new to the league. Even so, he plays like someone who’s been through it; someone with real roots. And when you look at the way he carries himself, how he stays humble, how he keeps learning, it always comes back to family. The Sheppards might not be loud or flashy, but they’re the heart behind one of Indiana’s most intriguing young players. And as Ben keeps rising, you just know they’ll be right there; cheering from the suite, proud as ever.
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Is Ben Sheppard's grounded upbringing the secret to his early NBA success?