It’s been just over a year since Tristan Thompson, NBA player and ex-boyfriend of Khloé Kardashian, became the legal guardian of his 18-year-old brother, Amari.
Tristan, 34, remains a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers while looking after Amari, who has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. He was granted temporary guardianship in September 2023 following their mom Andrea’s death earlier that year. He became Amari’s legal guardian in February 2024.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy that usually manifests in early childhood, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Those with the condition can suffer from a variety of seizures with periods of extreme frequency or relative dormancy.
Most living with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome have some “impaired intellectual functioning or information processing, along with developmental delays and behavioral disturbances,” according to NINDS. For Amari, he is confined to a wheelchair and unable to live on his own.
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Knowing the daily challenges that Amari faces, Tristan made an impassioned plea for guardianship when his mother died.
“[I want] to ensure that Amari continues to have a happy and fulfilling life and to provide him with the best care possible,” he argued at the time in court documents obtained by Us Weekly.
He added that becoming Amari’s guardian “would be in his best interest because it would ensure that someone would be responsible for providing and fulfilling his basic needs.”
Tristan has embraced the responsibility since then and expressed gratitude for his younger brother when Amari turned 18 last July.
“Happy birthday, Amari! Big number 18!” he wrote via Instagram under a carousel of the brothers together. “We are so blessed and fortunate for all the blessings that you bring to our lives! You are always a beacon of light! I love you so much and I’m so so blessed to be your older brother.”
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As Tristan and Amari have navigated the past year, the elder Thompson has had some help. Even after their split, Kardashian, 40, remains close to both brothers, allowing them to stay with her after Tristan’s roof caved in, leaving them with nowhere to go. (Kardashian and Tristan share daughter True, 6, and son Tatum, 2, together. Tristan also shares son Prince, 8, with ex Jordan Craig and son Theo, 3, with Maralee Nichols.)
When Amari turned 18, both Khloé, 40, and Kim Kardashian were there to celebrate.
“Khloé truly is such a big part of Amari’s life and I think it’s so incredibly impressive how she takes care of him,” said Khloé’s mom, Kris Jenner, on the April 3, 2025, episode of The Kardashians. “She’s literally a gift from God and so is Amari.”
Khloé and Kim, 44, also brought their kids to the party, feeling it was important for them to be around Amari.
“My kids are much more exposed to Amari than some of the other kids. So True is more concerned than frightened of Amari,” Khloé said. “But I do think it is important for our kids — and everyone’s kids — to be exposed to all different types of people.”
Kim, who shares kids North, 11, Saint, 8, Chicago, 6, and Psalm, 5, with Kanye West, agreed.
“I love our kids growing up around him and helping him,” she said. “They have lots of questions and at times they might not be the most comfortable. But I think it is so important that they play with him and they really get to know him.”
