Tristan Thompson is stepping into a more formal role when it comes to his younger brother, Amari, and this time, he's trying to make it legal.
© GettyAccording to new filings, acquired by PEOPLE, the NBA player is seeking a limited conservatorship for his 19-year-old brother, who has epilepsy, stating that Amari “suffers from an intellectual disability and developmental delay and is unable to take care of his personal needs.”
The documents add that he’s “unable to live independently” and “unable to handle any financial transactions,” and relies on Tristan for day-to-day support. Amari, notably, “does not object” and “does not wish to contest” the conservatorship.
© George PimentelIt’s a move that doesn’t come out of nowhere; it’s actually the next step in a situation that’s been unfolding quietly since 2023. His mother, Andrea Thompson, took care of him in the Toronto home up until she died.
After her sudden death, Amari’s care became a real question mark. And while Tristan is his closest immediate family member, his NBA schedule has always been complicated. But it seems like he might have more time. At 35, Tristan isn’t exactly in his prime era anymore, and his future with the Cleveland Cavaliers has been uncertain.
© GetySince Andrea's death, Tristan's ex-girlfriend, Khloe Kardashian, is actually the one who stepped up as the primary caretaker. When she passed, Koko vowed that Amari would always be okay, “Just know, I promise you, Amari will be perfectly ok. We will all look after him, help him, and protect him,” she wrote in the emotional caption.
On her podcast, in July 2025, she broke it down, "Andrea was the sole caretaker for Amari. When she passed, we — me, Tristan, my whole family — took Amari back with us to the States.”
But the logistics quickly became clear. “Tristan is in the NBA, and he is in a different state literally every other day… It’s just not conducive for Amari to be on that many planes.”
So Khloé made the call. “Amari stays in LA with me, and I have chosen to take care of him and be there for him,” she said, adding that his condition, including multiple seizures a day, makes stability non-negotiable.
And if people questioned why she took that on, especially given her relationship status with Tristan, she didn’t really entertain it. “People are always like, ' Why did I do that? Tristan and I aren’t together… but when I met Tristan’s family almost 10 years ago, I formed a real connection with Andrea.”
That connection didn’t just disappear. “Amari deserves someone who will be there for him.” She’s also been clear that this is a family issue. “Me being in a relationship or not with Tristan, I still have this family I’ve spent so many years with.”
Since then, Amari’s been fully integrated into her life in Los Angeles, with the help of caretakers, her kids, and the wider Kardashian family.
Kris Jenner has publicly supported him, and Khloé has shared moments from his birthday and even a dance recital, where she described him as “one of the most special souls I have ever met.”
So Tristan’s conservatorship is more of a formalization of what’s already been happening behind the scenes, but the day-to-day care has been a shared effort.
