I have always been drawn to the quiet figures who stand just outside the spotlight of legendary families. Artis Gilmore Ii is one of those people. Born around 1996 or 1997 in Jacksonville Florida he is the youngest son of a basketball icon. Now approximately 29 years old he lives a deliberately private life in the same city that shaped his father. While fame swirls around his family name like a whirlwind Artis Gilmore Ii remains grounded. He avoids cameras social media and public stages. His story feels like a calm river flowing beneath the roaring waterfall of his fathers achievements.
Discovering the Private World of Artis Gilmore Ii
Artis Gilmore Ii grew up as the baby of five children. He resides in Jacksonville Florida today still tied to the roots his family planted decades ago. Public records list him as a registered voter with the Florida Democratic Party. Beyond that details stay scarce. No interviews no professional profiles and no viral moments exist. He appears only in family announcements and occasional court documents. This choice sets him apart in an era when celebrity children chase influence. I see it as a powerful decision. He builds his days away from the noise choosing substance over spectacle.
The Towering Legacy of His Father Artis Gilmore Sr.
Any look at Artis Gilmore Ii starts with his father born September 21 1949 in Chipley Florida. At 7 feet 2 inches Artis Gilmore Sr. earned the nickname The A Train. He played 17 seasons in the ABA and NBA. In 1975 he led the Kentucky Colonels to a championship. His NBA career field goal percentage sits at .599 the all time record. During college at Jacksonville University he grabbed 22.7 rebounds per game a mark that still stands. In 1970 he guided the team to the NCAA title game. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame welcomed him in 2011. That August ceremony marked a family highlight. Artis Gilmore Ii then just 14 years old sat with everyone in Springfield Massachusetts. His father married Enola Gay Gilmore on July 1 1972. The couple raised their children through moves including one year in Italy. Artis Gilmore Sr. later worked in public relations at Jacksonville University. He once noted that his sons showed little interest in basketball compared with his daughter. To me the father stands like an ancient oak tree whose shade protects the whole family even as the world focuses on his branches.
The Heart of the Family: Mother and Siblings
Enola Gay Gilmore provides stability. Gardner Webb Junior College introduced her to her husband. She raised five children during every move and career peak. She quietly survived every loss and co-signed every family declaration.
Siblings are close. Older brother Otis Gilmore also hides. A 6’9″ Arlington Country Day high school player named Orion OJ Gilmore helped his team to a tournament quarterfinal in 2000. The familial details suggest Otis. He never pursued college or pro ball.
Sisters Shawna and Tifany Gilmore complete the older group. Their homes are private. They only appear as surviving in family notices. They keep their lives private as Artis Gilmore Ii prefers.
The brightest sibling was Priya Gilmore Matthews. Born 1977, she was 6 feet 3 inches and created her own path. She graduated Wolfson High School in 1995 as a standout. Leon Barmore coached her to two Final Fours at Louisiana Tech. The 1998 NCAA championship game featured her. That made her and her father one of the few father-daughter combinations to achieve that. After professional seasons in Poland, she had a successful US corporate career. Marriage to Mark Matthews occurred on November 16, 2002. Their marriage produced three children. Priya, 44, died suddenly of a heart attack at home in Jacksonville on June 8, 2021. The family was rocked by the news. Artis Gilmore Ii was among the surviving brothers in the statement. Her family established a memorial fund for her children.
Priya’s husband Mark Matthews raises the three kids alone. Around 2011, Mia and Mark Matthews Jr. were born. Around 2014, Payton Matthews followed. Autism requires lifelong specialized care for Mark Jr. and Payton. After the loss, everyone, especially Artis Gilmore Ii, supported them.
Family at a Glance
To capture the full picture here is a clear overview.
| Family Member | Relation | Birth Year or Key Date | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artis Gilmore Sr. | Father | September 21 1949 | Hall of Famer .599 FG percentage |
| Enola Gay Gilmore | Mother | Married July 1 1972 | Raised five children through moves |
| Otis Gilmore | Brother | Older sibling | Possible 6 foot 9 high school star |
| Shawna Gilmore | Sister | Older sibling | Private life survivor |
| Tifany Gilmore | Sister | Older sibling | Private life survivor |
| Priya Gilmore Matthews | Sister | Around 1977 died June 8 2021 | NCAA Final Four athlete |
| Mark Matthews | Brother in Law | Married November 16 2002 | Single father to three children |
| Mia Matthews | Niece | Around 2011 twin | Part of memorial fund |
| Mark Matthews Jr. | Nephew | Around 2011 twin | Autism spectrum |
| Payton Matthews | Nephew | Around 2014 | Autism spectrum |
This table shows how the generations connect through love loss and loyalty.
Career Choices and Daily Realities
No public career record for Artis Gilmore Ii. Neither college degrees nor business enterprises nor sports highlights show. His father encouraged him to play basketball, but he never did. No financial information is shared. No salary or net worth estimations exist. Duval County’s Fourth Judicial Circuit received his civil lawsuit in March 2023. Artis Gilmore Ii vs. Cameron Bruce and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company involves motor insurance. March 20, 2023 saw a case management order. Nothing more appears beyond that filing. His life happens outside boardrooms and arenas. In a world obsessed with details, this privacy is pleasant.
Timeline of Key Moments
Numbers and dates tell the story best. Here is the extended sequence.
1996 or 1997: Birth in Jacksonville Florida as the fifth child.
August 2011: Attends fathers Hall of Fame induction at age 14 with the full family.
June 8 2021: Sister Priya passes at age 44 triggering family wide support for her children.
2021 to 2022: Memorial basketball events held at North Florida School of Special Education in her honor.
March 20 2023: Court order issued in his auto insurance civil case.
2026: Resides in Jacksonville now 29 years old still choosing a low key path.
Each date anchors the family through joy and sorrow.
Whispers in Recent Years
Social media mentions of Artis Gilmore Ii are almost nonexistent. No verified accounts on any major platform surface. News coverage stays limited to the 2023 lawsuit filing. He moves through life without the digital footprint so common today. The family focus remains on supporting Priyas children and honoring their shared history.
FAQ
Who exactly is Artis Gilmore Ii?
Artis Gilmore Ii is the youngest son of Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore Sr. Born around 1996 or 1997 in Jacksonville Florida he is now about 29 and lives privately in his hometown. He avoids the spotlight that defined his fathers career.
How many siblings does Artis Gilmore Ii have?
He has four siblings. Older brother Otis plus sisters Shawna Tifany and the late Priya Gilmore Matthews who passed in 2021 at age 44. The family totals five children raised by Artis Sr. and Enola Gay Gilmore.
What happened to his sister Priya and how did it affect the family?
Priya a 6 foot 3 basketball standout and corporate professional died suddenly on June 8 2021 of a heart attack. She left behind husband Mark Matthews and three children twins Mia and Mark Jr. born around 2011 plus Payton born around 2014. The loss brought the Gilmores closer as they created support funds and events for the grandchildren two of whom are on the autism spectrum.
Did Artis Gilmore Ii ever play basketball professionally?
No records show any athletic career for him. His father publicly stated the sons had little interest in the sport unlike Priya who reached the 1998 NCAA championship game. Artis Gilmore Ii chose a different quieter road.
Where does the family live and what ties them together?
Jacksonville Florida has been home since Artis Sr. played college ball there in the late 1960s. The city connects every milestone from the 1972 wedding to the 2011 Hall of Fame induction and the 2023 court matter. Shared history of triumphs and tragedies keeps them united.
