Mandatory credit: Lucy Schaly-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Who Are Adou Thiero’s Parents? A Deeper Look at Family Background of 2025 NBA Draft 36th Pick

Here is everything you should know about Adou Thiero's family.

Mandatory credit: Lucy Schaly-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Adou Thiero, a former forward for both Kentucky and Arkansas, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and played at Quaker Valley High School in Pennsylvania. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Adou Thiero with the 36th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. This pick was originally traded from the Nets to the Suns to the Minnesota and went to Los Angeles.

In his senior year, Thiero averaged 23.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 3.9 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game. He graduated third on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,624 points, set a single-game record with 44 points, and earned WPIAL Player of the Year honors, among others.

Welcome to LA, Adou Thiero! 💜

The Lakers move up TWICE to get the Arkansas wing. Instant reaction w/ @Sedano & @DuranSports NOW on ESPN LA YouTube. pic.twitter.com/GCCxnchz3E
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) June 27, 2025

Thiero joined the University of Kentucky in 2022, appearing in 20 games as a freshman. As a sophomore, he led the Wildcats in rebounds in eight games and posted a breakout double-double with 16 points and 13 boards against Kansas. In 2024, he briefly declared for the NBA Draft before withdrawing and entering the transfer portal, ultimately following Coach John Calipari to Arkansas.

Who are Adou Thiero’s parents?

Adou Thiero’s parents are Almamy Thiero and Mariam Sy. He is the oldest of four siblings, with sisters Oumou (2007), Yassa (2015), and Nadiya (2019). Originally from Mali, West Africa, Almamy and Mariam immigrated to the U.S. in the early 2000s to support their families.

Continuing the legacy 🏀@Adou_Thiero talks playing for his parents and for his love of the game of basketball. pic.twitter.com/nUvNNsRPZB
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) July 7, 2022

They met through basketball and began dating. At 20, Almamy and 24, Mariam, learned they were expecting Adou and, with college careers still underway, made the difficult decision to send him to Mali to be raised temporarily by Almamy’s parents.

They married in 2004 and reunited with Adou in the U.S. when he was three in 2007. Injuries ended their playing days, but both found new purpose in coaching and mentoring, starting with their own children.

Who is Adou Thiero’s mother?

Adou Thiero’s mother is Marian Sy Thiero. She, 6’4”, is a former professional basketball player from Mali who starred at Oklahoma City University, where she averaged over 16 points and 9 rebounds per game.

Calipari on Adou Thiero, who he says has grown another inch since arriving to campus, which would make him 6'7".

"How about Adou, again? He's just getting it done… He's so tough, physically. He's going to be a guy that has a major impact on college basketball." pic.twitter.com/TNZTrixQYU
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) February 18, 2023

In 2006, she was selected 33rd overall in the WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. Her playing career was derailed by knee injuries, and she ultimately stepped away from the sport to raise her family.

Who is Adou Thiero’s father?

Adou Theiro’s father is Almamy Thiero. He, 6’9”, was once one of the top high school power forward prospects in the U.S. and played college basketball under John Calipari at Memphis before transferring to Duquesne.

Meet Kentucky's newest offer, Adou Thiero:

— Father Almany Thiero played for John Calipari at Memphis
— 23.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 5.9 APG, 3.9 SPG and 2.3 BPG as a senior
— Grew ten inches (5-7 to 6-5) from freshman to senior year
— "Kentucky was my dream school when I was a kid." pic.twitter.com/sK52wdCB13
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) March 26, 2022

His career was cut short due to serious health issues and injuries, including blood clots, a torn ACL and a fractured tibia. After retiring from playing, he founded an AAU program in Pennsylvania and dedicated himself to coaching and fatherhood.

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.