Who Are Aerial Powers’ Parents? Everything You Need To Know About The Fever Star’s Family

After a WNBA season she had given up on, moving to play in Turkey instead, Aerial Powers received the most exciting call in August 2025. The Indiana Fever wanted to sign her on a hardship contract, and Powers was up and ready to go in a day’s notice. In the days that followed, the guard didn’t waste the opportunity. Powers made an immediate impact on a team fighting through injuries, earning herself a second seven-day hardship contract. “I was very thankful, very, very blessed,” she had said, and understandably so.

Powers grew up in Detroit, where basketball and gaming were front and center in her childhood. She says those early days with family set the tone for everything she does today. Her parents were part of a small house full of noisy headsets and late-night game sessions that brought the family together and introduced her to competitive play off the court. These detail leads directly to how her dad helped her first pick up a ball.

Who is Aerial Powers’ father

Aerial often describes her father, Juan Powers, as her best friend. He wasn’t a basketball guy at first. His background was in boxing, and that’s actually where Aerial started before she fell in love with hoops. But once she picked up the game, Juan didn’t stand back. He learned basketball from scratch so that he could help his daughter succeed.

In one interview, Aerial recalled that she always carried a basketball everywhere as a kid. “I literally would bring my basketball and shoes with me everywhere because anytime I saw a group of people playing, I’d say, ‘Dad, let’s go hoop,’ and he’d say, ‘OK, let’s go do it,’” she said. Juan became more than just a trainer. He was there for the morning drills, the tough losses, and the moments when she doubted herself.

That bond even showed up in her career years later. In 2023, Jayson Tatum wore a camouflage-themed version of the Jordan Tatum 2 designed by Aerial. The shoe was a tribute to Juan, a sergeant in the Marines.

“It really meant a lot to me that he wore those shoes in one of the biggest games of his life, not because it’s Tatum, but because those shoes are a thank you to my dad and all veterans,” Aerial said. For her, honoring her father’s military service was just as meaningful as seeing her design on the NBA stage.

Who is Aerial Powers’ mother?

While her dad often gets mentioned for his courtside presence, Aerial’s mom, Cecelia Powers, has played just as big a role in shaping her daughter’s resilience. Cecelia has been part of the everyday support system, from the small house filled with Xbox headsets to the stands at Michigan State games.

But in 2023, Cecelia faced a life-threatening health crisis. Aerial revealed that her mom had a brain tumor “the size of a baseball, occupying almost the entire left side of her brain.” When Aerial discovered her condition, Cecelia couldn’t move or speak. Powers said it was only by chance she was home that day instead of overseas, and she called it part of God’s plan.

The period that followed was emotionally exhausting. Aerial cooked meals for her mom, helped with rehab, and delayed her overseas commitments until Cecelia was walking again. Through tears, she recalled telling herself, “That’s all that matters is she’s good.” Six months later, Cecelia was on her feet, recovering, and still standing strong as one of her daughter’s biggest inspirations.

What is Aerial Powers’ Parents’ Nationality?

Both of Aerial Powers‘ parents, Juan and Cecelia Powers, are American nationals. They have deep roots in Detroit, Michigan, where Aerial was raised. This strong sense of home and family is why Aerial has always cherished playing close to them, making her time at Michigan State and now in the WNBA even more special. Their values are also reflected in Aerial’s own community efforts, like the time she and her parents helped make a homeless teen’s wish to meet a WNBA player come true.

The family’s impact beyond basketball

The Powers household was never just about basketball. It was also about noise, competition, and bonding through games. Aerial’s brother, Juan Jr., introduced her to Call of Duty when they were younger. Soon after, their dad joined in. The Marine-turned-gamer filled the house with new Xbox consoles, and the Powers family would play so loud that it drove Cecelia crazy. Those moments grew into Aerial’s second passion- gaming. Which is now part of her professional identity alongside basketball.

Her mom’s gaming habit also had an influence. Aerial once noted that Cecelia was the first active gamer she saw, and it pushed her to break into a space dominated by men. Today, Aerial is not only a streamer but also a co-owner in the esports organization Team Liquid.

The family’s giving spirit also became public back in 2016. When a homeless teenager in Detroit wished to meet a WNBA player for Christmas, Aerial’s parents stepped in. Juan and Cecelia personally drove the girl and her family to a Michigan State game, sitting them right behind the bench. Cecelia later said, “I appreciate that God blessed us to be a part of their happiness.” For the Powers family, lifting others was never about publicity, but about using what they had to make someone else smile.