Tamera “Ty” Young Bio: Girlfriend, Age, Parents, Net Worth, Height, Ethnicity, Stats, College, Salary, Partner

Biography

Tamera “Ty” Young (born October 30, 1986, in Wilmington, North Carolina) is a retired American professional basketball player and current WNBA assistant coach.

A standout at Emsley A. Laney High School and James Madison University—where she set the Colonial Athletic Association’s all-time scoring record and earned Player of the Year honors—Young was selected eighth overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2008 WNBA Draft.

Over a 12-year league career, she played for Atlanta (2008), Chicago Sky (2009–2017), Phoenix Mercury (2017), Seattle Storm (2018), and Las Vegas Aces (2018–2019), averaging 7.1 points and 3.9 rebounds across 331 games.

Known for her versatility as a 6’2″ forward and her vibrant personality, Young contributed to four playoff runs with the Sky and later played overseas in leagues including Brazil, China, and Puerto Rico.

After retiring in 2021 following a stint with Athletes Unlimited, she returned to the WNBA in 2024 as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky, marking a full-circle moment 16 years after her draft.

American former basketball player
Tamera “Ty” Young
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Tamera Young
Stage Name:	Ty Young
Born:	30 October 1986 (age 38 years old)
Place of Birth:	Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Emsley A. Laney High School, James Madison University
Height:	1.88 m
Parents:	Greg Young, Lynda Nichols-Brown
Siblings:	Nikia Young Bristow, A. J. Young, Valerie Young
Spouse:	Not Married
Girlfriend • Boyfriend • Partner:	Mimi Faust (2016-2022), Drew Sidora (2023), Ming Lee Simmons (2025)
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Basketball Player
Net Worth:	$500,000 (USD)

Early Life & Education

Tamera “Ty” Young was born on October 30, 1986, in Wilmington, North Carolina, and grew up in a rural, close-knit community on a long dirt road surrounded by extended family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Her childhood was marked by outdoor activities like riding four-wheelers, dirt bikes, and playing basketball for hours on a driveway hoop with her siblings and cousins. However, the family faced financial hardships exacerbated by her father’s gambling and substance issues.

When Young was in elementary school, her parents separated after 13 years of marriage, leading her mother to work two jobs while they moved to a smaller apartment; despite the challenges, Young remained a “daddy’s girl,” cherishing special outings with her father, such as trips to the racetrack and attending her basketball games.

As she grew older, however, his unreliability led to periods of resentment, particularly during her college years. Young is of African American ethnicity.

Her religion is Christianity, and she has referenced spending time with family “celebrating Christ,” suggesting a Christian background.

She is the daughter of the late Greg Young and Lynda Nichols-Brown, with John Brown as her stepfather.

Young has an older brother, A. J. Young (six years her senior), and two older sisters, Nikia Young Bristow (three years her senior) and Valerie Young.

For education, Young attended Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington—the same school as Michael Jordan—where she became the all-time leading scorer, earned jersey retirement honors, and led the team to the 2004 Conference Championship as a senior; she was also a two-time Mideastern Conference Player of the Year, McDonald’s All-American nominee, and honor roll student.

She then played collegiately at James Madison University from 2004 to 2008, setting the Colonial Athletic Association’s all-time scoring record, earning CAA Player of the Year as a senior, and ranking highly in program history for steals, rebounds, and games started.

Career

Tamera “Ty” Young enjoyed a decorated 12-year career in the WNBA, marked by her athletic versatility, leadership, and passion for player development.

Born and raised with a love for basketball, she made her mark early at James Madison University, where she became the Colonial Athletic Association’s all-time leading scorer. This record solidified her as one of the most dynamic forwards in collegiate basketball.

In 2008, Young‘s talent was recognized when she was selected eighth overall in the WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream, officially launching her professional journey. During her rookie season, she appeared in 22 games (15 starts), averaging 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds, and quickly established herself as a promising young player.

After one season with Atlanta, Young was traded to the Chicago Sky in 2009, where she spent the bulk of her career and became a fan favorite for her high-energy defense, rebounding, and team-first mentality. Over nine seasons (2009–2017), she helped lead the Sky to four playoff appearances, including a memorable 2014 WNBA Finals run, while averaging 7.1 points and 4.1 rebounds across 262 games.

In 2017, she briefly joined the Phoenix Mercury before moving to the Seattle Storm and later the Las Vegas Aces (2018–2019), where she closed out her professional playing career. Across 331 total WNBA games, Young averaged 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, earning a reputation as a versatile forward and respected locker-room leader known for her intensity, athleticism, and vibrant personality.

Beyond the WNBA, Young expanded her career internationally, playing professionally in Brazil, China, Puerto Rico, and other global leagues, often averaging double-doubles and helping her teams win titles—including a championship with Shanxi in China.

After officially retiring in 2019, Young continued her engagement with the sport, joining Athletes Unlimited Basketball in 2021 before transitioning fully into coaching. In 2024, she returned to the Chicago Sky—the franchise where she spent most of her playing years—as an assistant coach, working under head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, a longtime mentor and inspiration from her playing career.

Off the court, Young remains committed to youth mentorship and empowerment. She co-founded the Ty Young Elite AAU program, which focuses on developing young athletes’ skills, confidence, and character through basketball.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Tamera Young
• Facebook: Tamera Ty Young
• Instagram: Ty Young (@tyyoung11)
• Twitter: Ty Young (@tyoung11) / X
• Facebook: Tamera Ty Young

Personal Life

Tamera “Ty” Young was born on October 30, 1986, in Wilmington, North Carolina, making her 38 years old.

She stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) and weighs approximately 170 pounds (77 kg).

Regarding her marital status, Young has never been married and has no husband.

She was engaged to reality TV star Mimi Faust in August 2020 after dating since 2016, but the couple ended their engagement in early 2021, briefly rekindled the relationship, and split again by 2022, with reports confirming they parted ways for good after an on-and-off eight-year relationship.

During their time together, they raised awareness for pancreatic cancer, which claimed the life of Young‘s father in 2015, and spent the off-seasons in Atlanta.

As of 2024–2026, Young has described herself as single. Young has no children.

Her dating history includes relationships with both men and women, as she has discussed her experiences dating across genders.

Beyond her long-term relationship with Faust, she has been rumored to be dating actress Drew Sidora since January 2023.

In 2025, Young addressed rumors about a relationship with beauty mogul Ming Lee Simmons, clarifying that it was not real and possibly for television purposes, such as her appearance on Basketball Wives.

Net Worth

Tamera “Ty” Young‘s net worth is estimated at $500,000, primarily accumulated from her 12-year WNBA career, where she earned modest salaries averaging around $50,000–$100,000 annually, supplemented by overseas play in leagues like China and Brazil.

Additional income streams include endorsements (e.g., Nike sneakers and TY1 Gear) and her recent role as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky.

Some sources suggest figures up to $5 million, but these appear inflated and are not corroborated by reliable outlets like Celebrity Net Worth.