
via Getty
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 11: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to the scoreboard during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on April 11, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 110-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

via Getty
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 11: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to the scoreboard during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on April 11, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 110-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
“I come from a family where some nights you don’t know where food’s going to come from. There’s nights where you’re going to have to go to bed hungry.” Says Tristan Thompson. That one quote says everything about where he started, and why family means so much to him. Behind the fame, the headlines, and the championship rings, there’s a deep-rooted story of sacrifice, siblinghood, and strength. In this piece, we explore the lives of Tristan Thompson’s siblings and what really ties them all together.
Who are Tristan Thompson’s parents? What is their nationality?
Tristan Thompson was born in Brampton, Ontario, to Jamaican parents Trevor and Andrea. Trevor drove trucks for a living, long hours, hard miles. Andrea, a retired school bus driver, kept the household grounded. Their work ethic clearly rubbed off; Tristan’s hustle didn’t come from nowhere. It’s easy to forget where these guys come from. Behind the NBA lights are parents like Trevor and Andrea, who showed up no matter what. You can almost picture it: early morning drives, packed lunches, quiet sacrifices. So, now that you have a small picture of his parents, let’s look at them in detail.
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Who is Tristan Thompson’s father, Trevor?
Trevor Thompson, father of Cleveland Cavaliers star Tristan Thompson, has mostly lived in the background of his son’s very public life. He once drove trucks for a living, while his late wife Andrea was behind the wheel of a school bus. They worked hard. Tristan’s mother once said, “Trevor is a truck driver. I drive a school bus. We work hard. In life, you have to work hard to receive your blessing.” That work ethic stuck with Tristan, but Trevor’s presence didn’t.
You know, sometimes things changed, and after 2014 the Thompson family went upside down. That year, Trevor and Andrea separated. Since then, their son says his father vanished from their lives. In a court filing over guardianship of his younger brother, the hooper claimed, “Trevor has done nothing to support or raise the proposed ward since then and has relinquished all rights to have any say in the proposed ward’s care.” No child support, no visits, no contact—not even at family milestones.
The filing also stated that even after hiring someone to locate Trevor, Tristan came up empty. The only contact they’ve had in over a decade. “Amari and I have not had any contact with him since 2014,” Tristan wrote. “And contact was minimal before that.”
Now, as Tristan steps into the role of full-time guardian for his younger brother Amari, who has serious medical needs, he continues doing what Trevor didn’t: showing up. What a loving older brother, right? Anyhow, with this, let’s focus on his mother.
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Is Tristan Thompson's dedication to his family more inspiring than his NBA career achievements?
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Who is Tristan Thompson’s mother, Andrea?
Andrea Thompson wasn’t just Tristan Thompson’s mother, she was his foundation. A school bus driver in Brampton, Ontario, she lived a grounded, hardworking life. Alongside her husband, Trevor, she raised four boys with a focus on grit, faith, and commitment. She didn’t just tell Tristan to chase dreams, she drove him to every game so he could.
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She recognized his talent early. “Tristan saw us always working hard, and he wanted to get ahead,” she once wrote. That mindset shaped everything. He wasn’t handed anything. Andrea made sure he earned it. Tristan celebrated her every chance he got. On her birthday in 2018, he posted, “Happy birthday to my mommy! Thank you so much for all of the sacrifices you have made for me and our family! Watching your hard work and dedication for our family is what made me the man I am today! I love you so much and enjoy your day, MOMMY!”
But, in January 2023, the hooper’s world collapsed for a second as he heard that his mother had died from a sudden heart attack, leaving him gutted. But he didn’t grieve alone. Khloé Kardashian, his ex and mother of two of his children, flew with him to Toronto after the news broke. Cameras caught them stepping off a private jet, quiet and solemn. It wasn’t for publicity, it was just family showing up when it mattered.
Andrea had become part of the Kardashian-Jenner circle, too. The mother Kardashian, Kris Jenner, called her in a heartfelt Instagram post, “the most amazing, dedicated, devoted, and selfless mom.” For a woman who stayed out of the spotlight, her impact stretched far and deep. She never wanted the attention. She just wanted her boys to be okay.
Who are Tristan Thompson’s brothers: How many sisters and brothers does the Cavaliers star have?
Tristan Thompson is more like a father to his siblings. He’s the oldest of four boys, including Dishawn, Daniel, and Amari. From a young age, he stepped into a father-figure role, especially after their parents separated.
Dishawn, born in 1995, and is four years younger than Tristan. He’s a rapper who goes by “Young Early” and dropped an emotional song titled Dear Momma after their mother passed. In 2014, Tristan posted, “Feels like just yesterday you were running around in your diapers.” He added how fast time was flying and reminded Dishawn to “keep working hard, bro.”
Then there’s Daniel, the quietest of the bunch. He’s mostly stayed out of the public eye, though Tristan once shared a powerful story about their bond. In a Mother’s Day tribute, he recalled a snowy drive with his mom and Daniel as a baby. “Daniel was crying… I think he was hungry,” he said. Their mother breastfed him in a snowstorm just so Tristan could get to his tournament. That moment stuck with him forever.
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He, too, once played competitive basketball like his older brother. He even won the U-11 Championship in Canada. Dishawn played for Northeast Junior College in Nebraska before switching to music. Though they chose different paths, they’ve all stayed close to their roots, and to each other.
Amari, the youngest, was born in 2006. He has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. He uses a wheelchair and needs around-the-clock care. Tristan has always been by his side, but after their mom Andrea’s sudden passing in 2023, he became Amari’s legal guardian. In a court filing, the hooper said, “He motivates me. Why not keep working each day?” That quote wasn’t just emotional — it captured how much Amari means to him.
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Their bond runs deep. In 2013, Tristan launched The Amari Thompson Fund to support others living with epilepsy. The mission? Help families get the support they need, including counseling, education, and healthcare. It’s not just a name; it’s personal. “Every athlete has something or someone that pushes them,” Tristan once said. “For me, it’s my little brother Amari.”
Their connection isn’t just behind closed doors. Amari has lived with Tristan in Hidden Hills, California. Even Khloé, though no longer romantically involved with Tristan, helped care for Amari. When Tristan’s house had storm damage, Khloé took them in. She made sure Amari had what he needed, a reminder that support can come from unexpected places. As we end, let’s close with what Tristan once said, “It’s just my job to provide and do whatever it takes.” That wasn’t a brag , it was a promise. One he’s kept, quietly and fiercely, every step of the way.
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"Is Tristan Thompson's dedication to his family more inspiring than his NBA career achievements?"