Aaron Nesmith’s journey to NBA stardom began in Charleston, South Carolina, and has blossomed to the 2025 NBA Finals with the Indiana Pacers. Drafted 14th overall by the Boston Celtics in 2020, Nesmith’s draft night was emotional, marked by tears and family support as he fulfilled a lifelong dream.
Nesmith has credited his family as the foundation for his success throughout his career. Their influence and encouragement have been key to his growth, shaping the grounded star now shining in the league.
Aaron Nesmith’s Siblings: A Look at the Pacers Star’s Family Amid the 2025 NBA Finals
Aaron Nesmith is one of two brothers. His older brother, Eddie Nesmith, has excelled academically, showing the family’s focus on hard work and achievement.
Raised in Charleston by parents Bernard and Ernie Nesmith—who are of Nigerian heritage but have lived most of their lives in the U.S.—the brothers reflect a balance between athletic ambition and academic dedication.
Charleston’s Aaron Nesmith is at the pinnacle. Helping lead the @Pacers to the NBA finals.
A week earlier, his brother Eddie, notched an accomplishment equally impressive. After graduating Harvard with a degree in Molecular Biology & Health Policy—he became an MD. Graduating… pic.twitter.com/SSPHKge1uz
— Scott Eisberg (@SEisbergWCIV) June 3, 2025
Eddie also attended Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, but chose a different path. He pursued academics and medicine. He graduated from Harvard with a degree in molecular biology and health policy.
He later earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. As of June 2025, he’s finishing his residency in anesthesiology at Boston Medical Center. The family celebrated Eddie’s graduation just a week before Aaron’s Finals debut.
Eddie’s path highlights the Nesmith family’s emphasis on success beyond basketball.
Aaron Nesmith’s Breakout Moment Fuels Pacers’ Finals Run
Aaron Nesmith delivered a breakout performance in Game 1 against the Knicks, knocking down clutch 3-pointers in a comeback win. Since arriving in a 2022 trade, he’s believed Indiana had something special.
“I thought ever since I got here, we just had a special group,” Nesmith said after the Game 6 win that secured a place in the Finals. That belief stayed strong even when the team started 9-14 this season. “We just get working and get better day after day after day,” he added.
Nesmith’s belief was matched by President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard, who acquired him from Boston. Nesmith was part of the Celtics’ 2022 Finals run before joining Indiana. Over three years, core players like Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam helped fuel the rise. Now the Pacers head to the Finals with just four playoff losses.
