Most people stumble across the name Kniko Howard while reading about his famous mother, Draya Michele. But the more you learn about him, the clearer it becomes that Kniko is a genuinely interesting person in his own right — a young man who has quietly built a grounded, purposeful life despite growing up in the glare of celebrity.
In this article, you’ll get a full picture of Kniko Howard his age, his dad, his relationship with NBA player Jalen Green, his Instagram presence, his height, and what he’s been up to lately.
Kniko Howard Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Kniko Howard Jr. |
| Date of Birth | December 29, 2002 |
| Age (2026) | 23 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Birthplace | Reading, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American (with Italian ancestry on mother’s side) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (179 cm) |
| Mother | Draya Michele |
| Father | Kniko Howard Sr. |
| Siblings | Jru Scandrick (half-brother), unnamed half-sister |
| Education | Georgia State University (enrolled 2021) |
| Private / low-profile (@afariiface) |
Who Is Kniko Howard? A Quick Introduction
Kniko Howard Jr. is the eldest son of Draya Michele — actress, model, entrepreneur, and reality TV personality best known for her role on VH1’s Basketball Wives LA. He was born on December 29, 2002, and his mother was only 17 years old at the time of his birth.
Growing up as the child of an increasingly famous parent is rarely simple, but Kniko has navigated that reality with notable composure. Rather than chasing the spotlight, he has focused on education, family, and building a private life on his own terms. That quiet dignity is a big part of why people keep searching for him — there’s a genuine curiosity about who he actually is beyond the headlines.
How Old Is Kniko Howard? Age and Early Life
Kniko Howard was born on December 29, 2002, making him 23 years old in 2026. His zodiac sign is Capricorn.
He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, where his mother Draya Michele was also raised. Growing up as the son of a future celebrity, Kniko’s early years were shaped by both the challenges of a young parent and the support of a strong family.
Draya’s drive to give her son a better life became a central force in her career. Despite her rising fame, she prioritized giving Kniko a grounded upbringing, shielded from constant media exposure, which allowed him to enjoy typical experiences like school, friendships, and sports.
Draya has publicly spoken about how her own mother’s steady support helped her navigate teen motherhood with confidence rather than fear — and that family backbone clearly shaped the environment Kniko grew up in.
Who Is Kniko Howard’s Dad?
One of the most searched questions about Kniko is simply: who is his father?
His father is Kniko Howard Sr., which is why the son is sometimes referred to as Kniko Howard Jr. For years, rumors circulated online suggesting that NBA player Gilbert Arenas was Kniko’s biological father. Those claims turned out to be false, and Draya publicly set the record straight.
Draya confirmed that Kniko Howard Sr. is the father, and also revealed that he works as a barber in Pennsylvania, making an honest living away from the public eye.
When Draya was seven months pregnant with Kniko, Kniko Howard Sr. was incarcerated. Today, he works privately and maintains a low profile. Kniko’s upbringing has largely been guided by his mother and extended family support.
It’s a story that is both complicated and human — and one that Draya has never shied away from addressing directly, which likely helped Kniko develop a clear, secure sense of his own identity.
Kniko Howard’s Siblings and Family Life
A Blended, Close-Knit Family
Kniko is the eldest of three children in a blended family. His younger half-brother, Jru Scandrick, was born in 2016 from Draya’s relationship with former NFL player Orlando Scandrick. Kniko also has a younger half-sister, born on May 12, 2024, from Draya’s relationship with NBA player Jalen Green.
Despite the different fathers and the wide age gaps, Kniko appears to have embraced his role as the older brother. Family photos and social media glimpses from Draya show a genuinely warm dynamic among the siblings.
Kniko Howard and Jalen Green
The relationship between Kniko Howard and Jalen Green has attracted a lot of public curiosity — and understandably so. Kniko is approximately the same age as his mother’s former boyfriend, Jalen Green, who is a professional basketball player currently playing in the NBA.
Draya took Kniko to watch Jalen Green play basketball. According to Page Six, they sat courtside as Jalen helped the Houston Rockets defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves. That kind of blended family dynamic — where your sibling’s father is close to your own age — is unusual, and the internet has had plenty to say about it. Kniko, for his part, has handled it with his characteristic calm.
Kniko Howard’s Education
Education has been a top priority for Kniko. In 2021, he enrolled at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Draya Michele proudly celebrated this milestone online, calling herself a “college mom” and expressing how proud she was of her son’s accomplishments.
Georgia State is a large public research university in the heart of Atlanta — a city with strong ties to the entertainment, business, and sports worlds. It’s a fitting environment for a young man who clearly has ambition but prefers to build his path quietly.
The specific degree or field of study Kniko is pursuing has not been made public, which is consistent with the level of privacy he tends to maintain.
Kniko Howard’s Height, Appearance, and Instagram
Height and Physical Profile
Kniko Howard stands at 5 feet 11 inches, or approximately 179 centimeters, and weighs around 178 lbs (81 kg). He is of African-American heritage, with Italian ancestry on his mother’s side.
Kniko Howard on Instagram
On his Instagram page (username @afariiface), Kniko has around 2,000 followers. The account features photos from his personal life, including time with friends and basketball games he has attended.
That follower count is notably modest for someone connected to a mother who has millions of followers. It speaks to a deliberate choice: Kniko is not trying to convert family fame into personal clout. His Instagram exists on his own terms, for his own reasons — which, honestly, is refreshing.
What Makes Kniko Howard Stand Out
There are plenty of celebrity children who leverage their parents’ fame from an early age. Kniko Howard has taken the opposite approach, and it’s worth noticing.
He grew up knowing his mother’s teen pregnancy and his father’s absence were public knowledge. He watched Draya build a career and a brand from scratch. He became a half-sibling to children of two professional athletes. And through all of it, Kniko remained private and mature, choosing to focus on education, family, and personal development instead of responding to public opinion.
That kind of self-possession is rare at any age. It suggests someone who knows who they are and where they’re headed — even if they’re not announcing it to the world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kniko Howard
How old is Kniko Howard? Kniko Howard was born on December 29, 2002, which makes him 23 years old as of 2026.
Who is Kniko Howard’s dad? His father is Kniko Howard Sr., a barber based in Pennsylvania. Despite years of online rumors pointing to other names, Draya Michele publicly confirmed this.
What is Kniko Howard’s height? Kniko Howard is 5 feet 11 inches tall (179 cm).
What is the relationship between Kniko Howard and Jalen Green? Jalen Green is the father of Kniko’s younger half-sister, born in May 2024. Green is close in age to Kniko, which has drawn public attention, but both have handled the dynamic maturely.
Does Kniko Howard have Instagram? Yes. He has a private, low-key Instagram account under the username @afariiface with a small, personal following.
Final Thoughts
Kniko Howard is easy to underestimate at first glance — he doesn’t have a massive social media presence, he hasn’t launched a brand, and he doesn’t show up at every celebrity event his mother attends. But that restraint is arguably the most interesting thing about him.
He is the product of a teenage mother who refused to let her circumstances define her, and it shows. Kniko carries that same quiet determination: enrolled in a four-year university, close to his siblings, grounded in his identity, and building his own story at his own pace.
If you’re curious about where Kniko Howard goes next, the honest answer is: probably somewhere meaningful — just not somewhere with a lot of cameras.
