Charlotte Hornets star Brandon Miller might be just 23, but the man is already winning hearts for his off-court duties. Miller already runs a foundation that says, “Bridging the Gap for the Underprivileged, Underserved, and at Risk.” But behind his calm, confident demeanor stands a household that has endured tougher challenges than any on-court troubles could ever bring. None stands out more than his mother, Yolanda Miller, who serves as a reminder of the family’s faith and resilience.

Who are Brandon Miller’s parents?

Brandon Miller was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 22nd, 2002, to Darrell and Yolanda Miller. The Millers raised their children in Antioch, Tennessee, creating a grounded, faith-based environment where effort and education came first.

Darrell Miller, Brandon’s father, played college football at the University of Alabama as a tight end in the early 1990s under coach Gene Stallings. “I didn’t talk him into going to the University of Alabama,” Darrell said. “I wanted to give him a choice. But in a way, I kind of instilled it in him when he was born.” While his father was into football, his mother was a track runner.

Though not much is known about the couple’s personal life, Brandon himself has spoken on his parents’ impact on his career, saying, “Growing up, my parents instilled in me a relentless work ethic and the belief that I could achieve anything if I put my mind to it. Their constant encouragement is what drives me to push past my limits on the court.”

Brandon has two older siblings: brother Darrell Jr., who played college basketball at Fisk University and now plays overseas, and sister Britany, who played college basketball at Cumberland University.

Together, Darrell and Yolanda have watched their son grow from a quiet, athletic kid in Tennessee to one of the NBA‘s brightest young stars.

What ethnicity are Brandon Miller’s parents?

Brandon Miller’s parents are African-American by ethnicity, and the family is proudly rooted in American nationality. Growing up in Tennessee, Miller’s surroundings and cultural and community background have helped shape his competitive drive and values.

The family’s Southern roots are a major part of their identity, emphasizing humility, respect, and hard work. That same foundation not only defines Miller’s demeanor on the court but also reflects the strength and grace his mother, Yolanda Miller, has shown through her own life experiences, especially in the face of personal challenges.

What happened to Brandon Miller’s mom, Yolanda Miller?

While Brandon Miller made headlines on the court, his mother, Yolanda, was quietly fighting a life-altering battle off it. She was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer after noticing pain and discharge in her left breast in 2022, despite having had a mammogram recently, showing the unpredictability of the disease.

The diagnosis came in the middle of her oldest son’s wedding being planned, her daughter pursuing a master’s degree, and Brandon on the verge of being drafted to the NBA. “I was scared and upset and had all the emotions that come with hearing a cancer diagnosis. Why wasn’t this found during my mammogram? They said it could have been because it was too small to detect at that time,” Yolanda said, speaking about how it felt once it was detected.

Staying strong, the mother kept the illness a secret from Brandon, who was playing in the March Madness tournament for the Alabama Crimson Tide at the time. She told ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap, “Didn’t tell him. Want him to stay focused. What he’s doing, he had enough to worry about than have to think about his mom’s health is failing.”

After multiple surgeries for breast removal and reconstruction, she was cleared of the disease. “Now that I’m cancer-free, I’m just happy and excited to be alive and grateful for everybody that was involved,” she said.

“You can’t cry enough, you can’t be mad enough, you can’t be disappointed or confused because you’re dealing with the unknown,” Yolanda recalled, her words heavy with the quiet strength of a mother trying to hold everything together. “I didn’t know what I was going to experience. I just knew people go through chemo, radiation, and I worried I wouldn’t have the strength to make my kids’ games.”

“I tried not to worry them until I could figure out how to handle this.” Her voice reflected both fear and determination, the kind that comes from a parent fighting to stay strong for her children even when uncertainty looms. Tonight, her resilience took center stage as the Hornets took on the Orlando Magic on their Breast Cancer Awareness Night.

Hornets Sports and Entertainment President Shelly Cayette explained the situation. “Yolanda is part of our family with Brandon,” Cayette said. “When we started talking about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it was immediate: how can we utilize her story to make sure we are being impactful and creating awareness?” Before the game, Yolanda was present at center court and finally rang the bell, something she never got to do during her initial battle with cancer.

Brandon Miller’s relationship with his parents

Brandon’s relationship with his parents is one of deep respect and grounding. He has previously spoken about the values they have instilled in him, and they continue to be a source of guidance as he moves forward in his basketball career.

Darrell’s background in athletics gave Brandon a model for hard work, and Yolanda’s resilience showed him how to handle adversity with grace. These lessons now echo in his game and everything that he does for society through his ‘The Miller Foundation’. Even as the Hornets forward navigates newfound fame and expectations, his parents remain his compass. They’ve been seen courtside at games, a visual reminder that no matter how bright the spotlight is, family remains the anchor.

Ultimately, the narrative of the Miller family extends beyond basketball; it embodies affection, determination, and optimism. Yolanda’s healing journey, Darrell’s guidance, and Brandon’s ascent in the NBA all exemplify a fundamental reality: regardless of the difficulties faced, belief and family can help you overcome.