Tragedy Strikes NBA Family: Naz Reid’s Sister Toraya Killed in New Jersey Shooting in 2025
The basketball world is reeling from devastating news that cuts straight to the heart. Toraya Reid, Naz Reid’s sister, was shot and killed Saturday morning at an apartment complex in Jackson, New Jersey. The senseless violence has left the NBA community grappling with a loss that transcends the game itself.
Reid’s Sister Found Shot Multiple Times at Apartment Complex
The morning of September 7th started like any other in the quiet Jackson Township community. But by 11 a.m., everything had changed. Police responding to reports of gunshots discovered Toraya Reid lying unresponsive in the roadway, her body riddled with multiple gunshot wounds. The scene was one that no family should ever have to endure—especially not one that has given so much to the sport we love.
According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, officers arriving at the scene witnessed a man running down a nearby road. That man was 29-year-old Shaquille Green, who authorities say was in a “dating relationship” with Reid’s sister. Green was quickly apprehended and now faces murder charges along with two weapons violations. He sits behind bars at Ocean County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing that will determine his immediate future.
The Bond Between Naz Reid and His Protective Sister
Anyone who knows Naz Reid understands that family comes first. In a December 2023 interview with Mpls. St.Paul Magazine, the Timberwolves’ big man, painted a picture of Toraya that now feels heartbreakingly prophetic. “My older sister is super protective,” he said with the kind of warmth that only comes from genuine love. “She treats us like she’s our parent.”
Those words carry extra weight now. Reid’s sister wasn’t just a sibling—she was a guardian, a protector, someone who watched over her younger brother as he climbed from the playgrounds of Asbury Park, New Jersey, to the bright lights of the NBA. The 26-year-old center, who just signed a five-year extension with Minnesota in June and captured the Sixth Man of the Year award last season, has lost more than a sister. He’s lost a cornerstone of his support system.
NBA Community Rallies Around Grieving Star
The response from Reid’s basketball family has been immediate and powerful. On Sunday, Naz shared multiple photos of Toraya and their family on his Instagram story—images that now serve as precious memories of happier times. The photos show a woman who clearly meant everything to her brother, someone whose smile lit up every frame she was in.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Reid’s former teammate who was recently traded to the New York Knicks, didn’t waste time expressing his grief. “Heartbroken,” Towns wrote on social media Monday. “No words can ever take away the pain for my brother. Holding everyone close in prayer today.” The message, accompanied by prayer and heart emojis, captured what so many in the basketball community were feeling but couldn’t put into words.
From New Jersey Roots to NBA Stardom
Reid’s journey from Asbury Park to NBA success is one of determination and family support. The young center has become a cornerstone of the Timberwolves’ success, earning recognition as one of the league’s premier sixth men. His rise wasn’t just about individual talent—it was about having people like Toraya in his corner, providing the emotional foundation that allowed him to flourish on basketball’s biggest stage.
Now, as Reid faces the most difficult challenge of his life, the NBA community is showing him the same support that Toraya provided all those years. Social media has been flooded with messages of condolence from fans, players, and media members who understand that some losses transcend sports entirely.
Justice Sought as Community Mourns Reid’s Sister
While the basketball world mourns, the legal system is moving forward with the case against Green. The charges he faces—murder and two weapons violations—carry serious consequences. But for Reid and his family, no amount of justice can bring back the woman who treated them “like she’s our parent.”
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder that domestic violence affects families from all walks of life, including those we celebrate on television screens across the country. Reid’s sister became another statistic in a crisis that continues to claim too many lives, leaving families shattered and communities searching for answers.
As the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds, one thing remains clear: the basketball world has lost more than just Reid’s sister. We’ve lost someone who helped shape one of our own, someone whose protective love contributed to the success we’ve all cheered for. The pain Reid is feeling right now is unimaginable, but he’s not facing it alone—he has an entire community standing with him.
