Who are Rae Burrell Parents? All about John Burrell and Ann Burrell

From the courts of Las Vegas to the bright lights of the WNBA, Rae Burrell’s journey in basketball has been nothing short of inspiring. In just four years of her professional career, she has showcased her skills across multiple leagues. Whether it’s the WNBA, WNBL, BNXT League, Athletes Unlimited, or Unrivaled, Burrell has left her mark everywhere she’s played. But behind her every standout performance is a support system that has been there from the very beginning: her family. So, who are the people standing behind Burrell as she carves out her legacy?

Who are Rae Burrell’s parents?

Rae Marie Burrell was born on June 21, 2000, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to John Burrell and Ann Barry. Sports were part of her DNA from day one, with both parents having excelled at the collegiate level. While many WNBA players trace their earliest basketball memories to their fathers, Rae’s first introduction to the game came from her mother. A standout at the University of Nevada, Ann made her name as a dominant rebounder. She once averaged 10.6 boards per game in a season and etched her name in the school’s record books with 25 rebounds in a single game.

Although Rae chose a different path on the court, carving out her game as a shooting guard/small forward, the shared love for basketball runs deep between mother and daughter. But the family’s athletic pedigree doesn’t stop there. Rae’s father, John, was an All-American in track and field at the University of Nevada, specializing in the long jump. Unfortunately, the details of the careers and lives of Rae’s parents as of now are not made public.

What ethnicity and nationality are Burrell’s parents?

The Burrell family are American nationals. Her father is of African-American descent, and her mother is Caucasian. Both her parents have been a steady presence in her basketball journey, which began early in school.

The LA Sparks forward began her career at Foothill High School before transferring to Liberty High School for her senior year. As a junior, she averaged 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and nearly two assists per game. That dominance carried into her senior season, where she posted 14.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. This streak continued in her collegiate season. However, Rae is not the only college basketball star in her sport-centric family.

Rae Burrell’s Siblings

She is one of two siblings, having a brother, Jonas Burrell. While it isn’t publicly known whether Jonas pursued athletics, the family’s basketball legacy extends beyond Rae. Her cousin, Evan Roquemore, enjoyed a stellar collegiate career at Santa Clara from 2010 to 2014. Roquemore reached double figures in scoring 90 times across 135 games, adding another chapter to the Burrell family’s deep connection to the game. However, the list of accolades for Rae’s college career runs longer.

Rae began her collegiate journey at the University of Tennessee with a promising debut– she posted 14 points and five rebounds against Presbyterian. By her sophomore season, her role had expanded significantly, and as a junior, she was the only player to start every game for the Lady Vols. Her growth and consistency didn’t go unnoticed. Heading into her senior year, she was ranked the 24th-best women’s college basketball player in the nation for the 2021–2022 season. Now, as she fares the WNBA journey, her family is alongside her through it.

Burrell’s relationship with her parents

At the heart of Burrell’s success story is a bond that goes far beyond genetics. Her parents, John and Ann, have been her biggest cheerleaders, mentors, and guiding lights since day one. Ann sparked Rae’s love for basketball early on. Even though they prefer to stay away from the cameras, Rae’s parents join her in every step of her journey. When Rae Burrell was departing from Lady Vols for her professional basketball career, her parents and brother were present on the court to witness her last collegiate game.

Thanks to this support, Rae has managed to navigate the hardships of her WNBA career. While she has only been with the LA Sparks, they waived her off twice. However, recognizing her talent, she eventually got a multi-year contract with the Sparks in 2024, following her stellar 2023 season. Her then head coach has nothing but praise for her, stating, “Rae was ready when her number was called. Her strong finish this season [2023-24] is a credit to her work ethic, positive personality, and allowing the game to slow down for her.”