Former Portland Trail Blazers Guard Ben Mclemore Honored His Parents, Tattooing Their Names On His Arms!

Ben McLemore grew up in a small home, where his family of six often struggled to make ends meet.

June 21, 2026

This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on June 18, 2026

Ben McLemore, a professional basketball player for Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli, credits the sacrifices of his parents, Ben McLemore II and Sonya Reid, for all that he has achieved to date.

A former Portland Trail Blazers guard, Ben McLemore, made his way up from a challenging childhood in St. Louis, Missouri, to become a standout basketball player.

It was the sacrifices of his parents that shaped his journey, as Sonya Reid and Ben McLemore II faced immense struggles to provide for their family.

Ben grew up in a small, cramped home on Wellston Avenue, where his family of six often struggled to make ends meet.

His mother, Sonya, worked long nights cleaning near Busch Stadium to put food on the table. Despite her efforts, there were times when the refrigerator was empty, and Ben recalls going days without food.

The family sometimes relied on free school meals, and Sonya made tough choices, like selling food stamps to keep the electricity or water on.

When utilities were cut off, they used candles for light, heated water in the microwave for baths, and huddled together with a kerosene heater to stay warm in winter.

His mother, Sonya, made immense sacrifices; she worked tirelessly, often at the expense of her own comfort, to ensure her children had the basics.

Ben recalls her selling food stamps to keep the lights on, a decision that meant less food but kept the family going. These sacrifices left Ben, who felt the pain of hunger, wanting to do something for his parents.

His father, although less detailed, contributed to the family’s survival, and Ben honored both parents by tattooing their names on his arms.

Above all, the struggles weren’t just financial. Ben’s older brother, Keith Scott, who helped support the family through odd jobs, was incarcerated in 2008, leaving Ben to step up as the “man of the house” at just 15.

Ben McLemore Expresses Gratitude For The Sacrifices His Parents Made To Support Him!

The basketball player Mclemore never forgot his parents’ sacrifices. He vowed early on to repay them by succeeding in basketball and providing a better life.

And his gratitude shines through in his actions. After becoming a star at Kansas and entering the NBA, he carried the lessons he had learned from his parents’ struggles.

He credits their sacrifices for his drive to succeed, knowing that every game he played was a step toward fulfilling his promise to support them.

Mclemore’s tattoos, including “Brothers” and “Keeper” alongside his parents’ names, symbolize his commitment to family.

Back in the 2013 interview, he expressed his desire to buy a big house where his family can live comfortably and never worry about food or utilities again, saying:

My mom is proud of me. I just want to keep working hard so one day I can help my family.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Ben McLemore is married to Jasmine McLemore, his longtime partner. They share one child, a daughter named Teagan Joyce McLemore, born on March 20, 2017.
• He played for the Kansas Jayhawks before entering the NBA.

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Aditi is an avid music lover whose interest's goes beyond the realm of music, with passion in digital marketing. A Gen Z who loves her personal space and is keen to exploring new things. An optimist who seeks silver lining in every circumstances life throws at her.

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