In 2024, the NBA’s rookie discussion was largely about two giants: Victor Wembanyama and his rival Chet Holmgren. The two battled it out for most of the season for the Rookie of the Year award, and shone under the brightest of spotlights as soon as they entered the league. While the two shared all the attention, there was another rookie for the Oklahoma City Thunder who deserved a lot of praise. It was none other than Cason Wallace. The Thunder rookie became a huge contributor to the team and helped them achieve the first seed in the Western Conference.

The young guard made the most of his minutes and showcased his skills on both ends of the floor. So much so that if you had one word for Wallace, it would be: consistent. More importantly, the 21-year-old has carried that form. The jump from college to the NBA is a pretty big one, but Cason Wallace made it seem very easy. And a large part behind that journey? His parents.

Who are Cason Wallace’s parents?

In a league that is surrounded by eccentric personalities and star personas, Cason Wallace seems like a breath of fresh air. He isn’t cut from the same cloth as other NBA superstars. On the contrary, he’s well-mannered and isn’t the one likely to start a conversation. Well, he gets his discipline from his parents, Mike and Kimberly Wallace. The couple is the pillar behind the Cason we see terrorizing defenses on the court. Mike was the one who got his son into hoops, as Cason’s father is himself a youth basketball coach.

So, when the chance of coaching Cason and his elder brother Keaton arose, Mike did not think twice and jumped on the opportunity. He taught his sons everything he knew, and it paid off big time with Keaton making it to the league. Soon, Cason followed in his brother’s footsteps and got drafted by the OKC Thunder.

Meanwhile, Cason’s mother, Kimberly, provided support to her sons. While both them enjoy the limelight that comes with the stardom of the league, their parents live a low-key life and believe in the power of charity. So, how did the couple first meet?

When did Kimberly meet Mike Wallace?

Mike Wallace is a well-known personality in the Dallas basketball world. He used to coach kids in Dallas and even coached his own sons and helped them make it to the NBA. Meanwhile, Kimberly prefers to stay away from the cameras, and due to that, not much is known about her. However, she’s been Mike’s support system. Just a few years ago, Mike was sick and needed a kidney transplant. This was a concerning news for the Wallace family.

Fortunately, John Coyle, Mike’s close friend, stepped up and donated a kidney, forging a friendship for life. Throughout all of this, Kimberly helped Mike big time and ensured he was taken care of with every step. While the couple has been together for the longest, no one knows when the two met for the first time. However, it’s safe to assume it was before Mike’s coaching days. This makes you wonder where are Cason Wallace’s parents from.

What ethnicity are Cason Wallace’s parents?

Nearly a couple of years ago, Cason Wallace sat with his family for the 2023 NBA Draft, where he was tipped to be a lottery pick after a successful stint at the University of Kentucky. As the names were being called, Wallace and his family’s anticipation began to climb further, and then came the 10th pick. You might wonder, what’s special about that? Well, it was owned by none other than Cason’s home team, the Dallas Mavericks. The Dallas native, just like his mom and dad, both of whom also belong to Dallas and are of African-American ethnicity, wanted to suit up for the Mavericks.

However, destiny had other plans for the young guard. Despite being a die-hard Mavs fan and growing up watching the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and more. When he found that they traded the pick at the No. 12 spot, he felt a bit disappointed and rightly so. “I definitely will be fine in Oklahoma,” Wallace said, following his selection. “There’s not much to do, but it lets you stay focused.” Well, despite the initial disappointment, Cason Wallace settled well into life in Oklahoma City as the 21-year-old was greatly helped by his parents, Mike and Kimberly. It seems that he shares a great relationship with his parents, but does he?

Inside Cason Wallace’s relationship with his parents

Cason has always been the quiet kid and was well-behaved. You don’t have to take our word for it, you can ask any of the Oklahoma City Thunder teammates. The 21-year-old is devoted to his family. That’s massively because while growing up, he shared a beautiful and close-knit relationship with his parents and brother.

Their family home was a decoration of Cason and his moments, big or small– the basketball trophies, his music choices, and the photos of a young him. The Oklahoman even reports his mother only wanted to fill the house with pictures of Cason smiling. So you can guess the love he grew up around. But they also made sure he toughened up as he grew.

Both Mike and Kim did not shield him from the adversities that are inevitable– be it in the neighbourhood they grew up in or the lessons life would eventually bring in. Cason is grateful for it all. “It’s not always sunny days, but we still have to deal with adversity. It put us in a better situation, because now when we get older, we’re not new to dealing with stuff,” he says.

The OKC star was raised in Hamilton Park, a place where his mother grew up and the Wallaces moved into years later. It wasn’t void of violence, but the family made a home out of it. Cason even represented the town during his draft when he wore a “HPT” embroidered suit. He also stayed home when given an option to move away to chase his basketball dreams.

The entire Wallace household had each other’s backs; they still do. Mike and Kimberly did a great job raising their two sons and helping them achieve their dreams, as Cason continues to shine with the Thunder and aims to win his first championship with his beloved franchise.