Archive for the ‘NBA Wives’ Category

Last night, Tv network “E” aired their new episode called “True Hollywood Stories: Basketball Wives”. Dwyane Wade’s estranged wife Siohvaughn Funches appeared on the show. Siohvaughn talked about some the hardships and demise in their marriage. She says, We “Forgot God & Our Marriage Vows!” Even though Siohvaughn did not totally throw Dwayne Wade under the bus, he was not pleased with her remarks.

After the show, Dwayne jumped on his Twitter account and tweeted: ‘Don’t Believe everything u read or hear. Thts all imma say about that.

Peep the video below of Siohvaughn Funches on the show.

Meet Sheena Felitz, longtime girlfriend of NBA star Nate Robinson. Sheena and Nate have known each other since high school. They have three children, two boys, and just recently had a baby girl.

Nate Robinson has played in the NBA for 5 years. Robinson was the 21st selection of the 2005 NBA Draft, chosen by the Phoenix Suns before being traded to the New York Knicks. He is currently playing for the New York Knicks. Robinson is listed at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) with shoes,and has a vertical leap of 43.5 inches (110 cm). He is a 2 time NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner for years, 2006 and 2009.

Meet LaLa Vazquez, wife of NBA star Carmelo Anthony. LaLa met Carmelo in 2003 through a mutual friend, DJ Clue, who she knew from previous televisoin jobs. As time past, Carmelo eventually saw LaLa again inside of a club and went up to her. The pair talked and later exchanged contact information. After awhile, there friendship blossomed into a relationship. A year later, LaLa and Carmelo got engaged on Christmas Day, 2004.

In 2006, the couple found out they would be having their first child together. On March 7th, 2007, their precious son Kiyan Carmelo Anthony was born and changed their lives forever.

Lala, 30, and Carmelo, 25, are five years apart in age. Lala is of Puerto Rican American descent. She is Nuyorican, a term used for a Puerto Rican born and raised in New York City. Carmelo is of  Black and Puerto Rican descent. Carmelo’s mother is Black and father Puerto Rican.

Alani “Lala” Vazquez is a successful tv personality, actress, disc jockey, and MTV VJ. Her career started in Atlanta, where she obtained a job as a programming assistant at WHTA radio station. While a student at Redan High School (c/o ‘97), she received her first big break with her debut in a radio show alongside Ludacris (then know as Chris Lova Lova), called Future Flavas. After working for some time at the station, she decided to attend college and relocated to Washington, D.C., where she attended Howard University and studied Communications. While attending college, she worked as a disc jockey for that institution’s radio station.

In 1999, she moved to Los Angeles, California, and went to work at KKBT radio. There she was noticed by MTV and was invited to audition, although was not called back until a year after the audition. She was the co-host of MTV’s Direct Effect and Total Request Live. She has also hosted the reunion specials for all seasons of VH1’s Flavor of Love, both seasons of I Love New York, the first season of Real Chance of Love, the first season of Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School and ” For the Love of Ray J”. In addition, she often introduced stories on MTV’s High School Stories.

Vazquez made her film debut in 2001 as “LaLa the DJ” in Two Can Play That Game starring Vivica A. Fox and Morris Chestnut. In 2002 she participated in the film Urban Massacre as “Pam Jackson”. Vazquez also participated in the 2003 film Monster Island and in 2004 she had a supporting role as herself in You Got Served. Vazquez appeared as a Dean on VH1’s Charm School with Ricki Lake.

Carmelo Anthony has played in the NBA for six years. He was chosen in the first round (3rd overall) of the   2003 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets.  Currently, Carmelo is still playing for the Denver Nuggets.  Carmelo makes  a whopping annual salary of  $15,779,912 a year.

Meet Vanity Alpough, wife of NBA star Kendrick Perkins. Kendrick married his long time girlfriend Vanity at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas on July 25, 2009. The wedding party included more than 20 bridesmaids and groomsmen on each side and more than 250 guests. Some of the groomsmen included fellow NBA Players Stephen Jackson, Patrick O’Bryant, and Rajon Rondo.

The wedding was held outdoors under a tent. It was officiated by Rev. John Adolph. At the conclusion of the vows, they released white doves into the air. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds rode together in a horse drawn carriage before entering a purple, lavendar and brown themed reception.

Peep the rest of their wedding  photos below.

Vanity and Kendrick have a two-year-old son together, Kendrick Perkins II, born on September 10, 2007.

In July 2008, Kendrick purchased an $850,000 Mediterranean-style home in Tomball, Texas. Built in 1999 and located in the Haven Lake Estates subdivision, the two-story home offers five bedrooms, four full bathrooms and two half, swimming pool, three-car garage, pool room, bar, and 5,616 square feet.

Kendrick Perkins has played in the NBA for 6 years. Kendrick was drafted out of  high school in the first round with the 27th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, but was immediately traded to the Boston Celtics in the same draft.

Photos By: Mary Henry Zeek

Meet Jacqueline Starks, wife of former NBA star John Starks. John has been married to his wife, Jackie, for 21 years and describes her as “very spiritual.” The couple married in 1988. They have three children: John Jr., Chelsea, and Tiara. The family worships at New Life Christian Fellowship in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Jons Starks played 14 years in the NBA from 1988 to 2002. He played for NBA teams: Golden State Warriors (1988–1989; 1999–2000), New York Knicks (1990–1998), Chicago Bulls (2000), Utah Jazz (2000–2002).

John Starks is most known for his famous dunk on Michael Jordan during the 1993 NBA playoffs against the Chicago Bulls. Peep the video below!

Meet Kay Kinsey Malone, wife of former NBA star Karl Malone. Kay hardly knew basketball when she went to a mall in Utah with her sister and brother-in-law. While at the mall, Kay met Karl at an autograph signing session.

Kay says,” I saw this peculiar sign near ZCMI that says ‘The Mailman Has Delivered.’ I thought – ‘That’s weird, why would the mailman be delivering here? I mean – what’s the big deal with Karl the Mailman?’ Then I saw him and realized – ‘Oh, maybe Karl is the first black postman.’ I said to my family, ‘This is really outrageous! You have a guy signing autographs because he’s the first black postman?’ After they cracked up in my face, they set me straight that Karl plays basketball. I just thought that’s the goofiest name I’ve ever heard for a basketball player – ‘the mailman?!’

“When we got up to Karl, he asked me if I wanted his autograph. I said ‘No, he did.’ Karl smiled and said ‘Is this your boyfriend, husband?’ I thought ‘Oh, good pickup line.’ Again he asked, ‘How would you like my autograph?’ I said ‘Sure, you can sign it to some of my friends at school.’ I did ask Karl if I could take a picture with him and he quickly agreed!”

Kay adds, “A couple of months later I developed the pictures and sent one to my sister. My brother-in-law, Thane, wrote a letter on ‘my behalf’ and sent the picture to Karl. Thane made a pretty big fuss in the letter about me being a big fan and being Miss Idaho. Karl called me at my parent’s house in Idaho. My mom didn’t believe who he was, so she hung up the phone! “  He called back later and said ‘I got your picture.’ I asked if he would sign it and send it to me. He said, ‘No – I got your picture as Miss Idaho.’ I was shocked and said that I hadn’t sent that to him. He asked me about the letter I had sent also. Again, I was shocked and said, ‘Read it to me!’ After he read it I said, ‘I did not write that! I am not a big fan because I have never seen you play in my whole life!’ I said, ‘I know who you are. I know you play basketball, but I’m not a big basketball fan.’” But that led into a lot of talking, and we quickly became good friends. He and I were both dating other people at the time, and I didn’t believe in long-distance relationships, so we fostered a friendship. We found opportunities to see each other more often. He came to Idaho just to see me a few times. Then we began to get more serious and doing things more together.”

The couple married on December 24th, 1990. Kay and Karl have four children together: Kadee (born 1991), Kylee (born 1993), Karl Jr., (born 1995) and Karlee (born 1998). Karl also has children from two prior relationships. Karl has admitted to fathering twins (Cheryl and Daryl Ford, born June 1981) with Bonita Ford, but denies paternity of a third child (Demetrius Bell) with Gloria Bell, born three years later.

Kay Malone, a Boise State University graduate with a sociology degree, is a former supermodel who won the 1988 Miss Idaho USA pageant. Also, Kay has owned and operated Wolfe Krest Bed and Breakfast in Salt Lake City since it’s opening in 1999.

Karl Malone played 19 years in the NBA. Malone spent his first 18 seasons (1985–2003) as the star player for the Utah Jazz. He then played one season (2003–04) for the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring. Malone’s jersey was retired on March 23, 2006, when the Jazz hosted the Washington Wizards.

Meet Rita  Williams Ewing, ex-wife of former NBA star Patrick Ewing. Rita met Patrick while earning her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Howard University. The former couple married on July 27th, 1990 and divorced in 1998.

Sources close to the couple blamed their divorce on Patrick’s alleged relationship with NBA New York Knicks dancer Heather Errico, who eventually resigned from the troupe after seven seasons. Heather Errico allegedly met up with Patrick at several away games, even though dancers don’t normally accompany the team out of town, the insiders said.

After earning her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Howard University, Rita worked as a critical care nurse, obtained a law degree from Georgetown University, started her own company, One-on-One Management, created the “Patrick’s Pals” children’s book series, and is currently the co-owner of Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem.

Peep the video below of Rita speaking on the Tiger Woods scandal and  about her experience as the wife of a professional athlete.

Patrick and Rita have three children together. Patrick also has daughter, Alexis, from his current girlfriend Cheryl Weaver (Pictured below).

Here is a photo below of the couple’s baby girl,  Alexis.

Check out Cheryl and Patrick getting their “Dance On” at an event.

Cheryl Weaver is a professional volleyball player who has played on the AVP Pro Beach Volley Ball Tour. She completed an exciting summer playing with the USA National team.  In October of 2002, Cheryl signed to play professionally with the Criollas in Caguas, Puerto Rico.  The Criollas have won the Women’s Puerto Rico Championship for the past five years.

Patrick Ewing played 17 years in the NBA. He was the first pick in the 1985 NBA by the New York Knicks. Patrick played most of his career with the NBA’s New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic. Ewing was named as the 16th greatest college player of all time by ESPN. In a 1996 poll celebrating the 50th anniversary of the NBA, Ewing was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time. On April 7, 2008 he was elected to the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. His number 33 was retired by the Knicks in 2003.

On July 3, 2007, Ewing was one of four assistants hired to serve under first-year Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy for the 2007-08 season. Currently, Patrick is still an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic.

Meet Debbie Dumars, wife of former NBA star Joe Dumars. The two met in college, but Debbie admits she didn’t fully know what she was getting into with the NBA life.

The couple married in 1989. Debbie says, “There were times I was sitting in our apartment alone, when we first got married because Joe was gone with the team.”  Debbie adds, “I knew I had to pick up the slack and Joe really helped me adjust. He helped me grow.”

Debbie and Joe have two children, a son, Jordan and a daughter, Aren.

Peep the photo below of Debbie, Joe and their son Jordan.

The couple had several outside business interests, from owning Detroit Technologies, an auto supply company, to Dumars Travel, run by Debbie.

Debbie Dumars, a teacher, has a bachelor’s and master’s in Education from McNeese State university.

Joe Dumars played 14 years in the NBA. Drafted 18th overall in the first round of the 1985 NBA Draft, he played guard for the Detroit Pistons for his entire career, from 1985 to 1999. He won two championships as a player in 1989 and 1990, and was voted the 1989 Finals MVP, averaging 27.3 points per game.

After retiring from the NBA in 1999, Dumars became the Pistons’ President of Basketball Operations prior to the 2000–01 NBA season. He was voted the league’s Executive of the Year for the 2002-03 season and quietly went on to build the team that won the 2004 NBA Championship.

Meet Cristina Fernandez Rice, estranged wife of former NBA star Glen Rice. The two met at a party in Miami thrown by his teammate Matt Geiger. “I told the guys she was going to be my girlfriend,” Rice says. But he wasn’t nearly as bold around Fernandez. He was so shy that he had to send teammate Kevin Gamble over to ask, on his behalf, if Fernandez would like to dance. She agreed to dance, but she didn’t want anything else to do with Rice, who was separated from his wife and on his way to a divorce. But after several three- and four-hour phone conversations, Fernandez agreed to go out with him. On the day they were to have their first date, Rice scored a career-high 56 points against the Orlando Magic. “I had to do something to impress her,” he says.

Cristina and Glen married on September 5th, 1997. They have two kids together,Brianna and Giancarlo. Also, Glen has two kids, Glen Jr. and G’mitri, from his ex-wife Tracey Starwood.

Cristina, a high school special-education teacher, manages their clothing store in Miami, Florida.

On January 11, 2008, Glen was arrested in Miami, Florida on suspicion of felony battery. Police say Glen assaulted a man that he found hiding in his estranged wife cristina’s closet. It was alleged that Rice went to the home of Cristina and beat Alberto Perez after finding him in the closet. After the beating, Perez had a cut on his forehead that required nine stitches. Rice surrendered to police and was released after posting $5,000 bond. Charges were later dropped.

Glen Rice played 15 years in the NBA. He was selected #4 overall in the 1989 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. Glen has played for several teams including: Miami Heat (1989–1995), Charlotte Hornets (1995–1998), Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2000), New York Knicks (2000–2001), Houston Rockets (2001–2003),  Los Angeles Clippers (2003–2004).

Meet Dorothy Brown, wife of former NBA player and sportscaster James Brown. Dorothy and James reside outside of Washington, D.C. in Bethesda, Maryland. They have one daughter, Katrina. On January 12, 2008, they became grandparents when their daughter had her first child.

Dorothy and James are heavily involved in their local church. James is a youth minister and Dorothy is the co-director of the youth ministry at the church.

James Brown graduated from Harvard with a degree in American Government. James was also a standout  basketball player for Harvard.  He was selected as a fourth-round draft pick by the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and a seventh-round pick by the Denver Nuggets. In 1996, Brown was inducted into the Harvard Hall of Fame.

Currently, James is a sports announcer known for being the host of the FOX network’s NFL pregame show Fox NFL Sunday. Beginning with the 2006 NFL season, Brown hosted The NFL Today on CBS, and returned to play-by-play of CBS coverage of NCAA basketball, along with co-hosting the Saturday Early Show.

Also, James  is the co-founder and principal of the Brown Technology Group, a certified minority owned and operated information technology company, and is a founding partner of the Washington Nationals.

Peep the video below of James discussing his new Book “Role of A Lifetime.”

School Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson are officially engaged to be married.

Rhee, 39, confirmed the news Wednesday at a Democrats for Education Reform/DC School Reform Now event in Washington after observers noticed a ring on her left hand. Johnson, 43, is a former NBA star who transitioned into politics as the founder of a charter school. Rhee served on the school’s board before Johnson won his first race last year to become mayor of his home town.

The couple have been longtime friends and political allies. To some, the news of their recent engagement comes as no surprise since the couple have been spotted holding hands at several events together.  The couple have not set a wedding date.

Michelle, a divorced mother of two daughters, is chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools system. In 1997 she founded The New Teacher Project (TNTP), which in ten years has recruited 10,000 teachers in twenty states.

She was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but was raised in Toledo, Ohio. Michelle graduated from Cornell University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in government, and earned a Master of Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Peep the video below of  Michelle Rhee!

Kevin Johnson is the current mayor of Sacramento, California. He is Sacramento’s first African American mayor.Prior to entering politics, Johnson played 13 years in the NBA. He played point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns. As a basketball player, he was a three-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection who holds many records for the Phoenix Suns franchise.

Meet Claudia Zapata Elliott, wife of former NBA star Sean Elliott. The couple married on October 12th, 2001.  They have three children, Tad, Jada, and Jordyn.

Sean’s daughter, Jordyn, is from his firt marriage with ex-wife Akiko Herron.

Peep the photo below of Sean’s exwife Akiko Herron Elliott.

Sean and Akiko married on September 4th, 1993 and divorced June 27th, 2000.

Claudia Zapata-Elliott is the health and fitness columnist for the San Antonio Express-News, where she covers a broad range of topics on healthy living, from food, fitness and medicine, to family and community nutrition and wellness. She is also a board member of the American Heart Association. After receiving her master’s degree in nutrition, she completed a dietetics internship at the University of the Incarnate Word. Zapata-Elliott has 10 years’ experience as a fitness instructor, and in 1996, she qualified and competed in Boston marathon’s historical 100th running.

Peep the video below of Claudia and Sean.

Sean Elliott played 12 years in the NBA. He played for the San antoni Spurs and Detroit Pistons. Sean retired in 2001. After retiring, Elliott was basketball analyst for The NBA on NBC and, during the 2003–2004 season, for ABC Sports and ESPN. He left that position for the 2004–2005 season and became the color commentator for the Spurs’ local broadcasting.

Meet Millie Smith, wife of NBA star Steve Smith. The two met at a charity tennis tournament in Detroit. They conducted a long-distance courtship for more than a year before Steve popped the question. A year later, Millie and Steve married in 1996. Millie and Steve have two sons, Brayden and Davis.

When speaking about his wife, Millie, a Louisiana native who attended Georgia State University, Steve adds,  “She’s definitely a level-headed person.” Steve says, “She’s a Southern girl. That’s attractive to me. She has Southern ways. She does things slow. I try to live life slow, not fast.”

Steve Smith  played 14 years in the NBA before retiring in 2005. He played with several teams, including the Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, and Charlotte Bobcats. Steve is perhaps best known for his five-year stint with the Atlanta Hawks which included an All-Star Game appearance in 1998. He won a championship with the Spurs in 2003. Currently, Steve works as an analyst/announcer for “NBA Tv.”

Donovan McNabb and his wife, Raquel, are expecting another child in December. On Dec. 2, 2008, they welcomed twins Sariah and Donovan Jr. They also have a daughter, Alexis, born in September 2004.

Donovan married his college sweetheart, Raquel “Roxie” Nurse, in 2003. Roxi was also a standout athlete, holding several records for the Syracuse women’s basketball team.

Recently, the McNabbs announced a partnership with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Virtua Voorhees. The couple made a six-figure donation to help with the construction of a new NICU at the Virtua Voorhees replacement hospital, scheduled to open in 2011. In addition, Virtua Voorhees says, the family is committed to helping raise $2.5 million for additional funding for the project. The completed unit will be named the McNabb Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. All their children were born at the hospital.

Currently, Donovan McNabb plays quarterback for the NFL Philadelphia Eagles.

Jameer Nelson is wife’s name is Imani Tillery . Imani and Jameer are high school sweethearts. On July 5, 2008, Jameer married long time girl friend Imani. The couple married at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando. The couple had approximately 185 friends and family members attend the wedding. The wedding was  full of NBA star power. Among those attending: Dwight Howard,Patrick Ewing, Bo Outlaw, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and Magic GM Otis Smith.

Imani and Jameer have one son.

Jameer Nelson was selected 20th in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, and was subsequently traded to the Orlando Magic for a 2005 first-round draft pick. Though many speculated he would be within the top 10 picks, he fell to number 20, and the Magic, eager for a point guard, acquired Nelson.

An intoxicated 26-year-old woman stumbled and fell onto subway tracks in Boston. As Russ Mitchell reports, the train stopped half-way over her body.

Meet Amy Young Williams, wife of NBA star Deron Williams. Amy and Deron are childhood sweethearts. They have two children: daughters Denae and Daija.

Peep the video below of Amy and their daughter Denae sitting at the table when Deron got picked  3rd overall in the 2005 NBA draft.

Deron Williams was drafted 3rd overall by the NBA Utah Jazz in the 2005. So far, he has played his entire NBA career with the Utah Jazz. In 2008, Deron signed a contract extension with Utah through at least the 2011-12 years. The Tribune reports Williams will earn approximately $50 million for the first three years of the deal and as much as $70 million if he exercises the option.

Meet Darcy Watkins, wife of NBA star Mike Bibby. Darcy met Mike in high school. It is unclear on the date the couple got married, but according to Mike’s “Mypsace” page, they are indeed married.

They have four children together: son, Michael Dane, and daughters, Janae, Mia Rose, and Nylah Eloise. The couple’s younget daughter, Nylah Eloise was on born Tuesday, October 7th at 8:00am. She weighed 6lbs 8oz and 21 inches long!

Mike is known for having a lot of tatoos on his body. Mike even has one with his wife’s  name ” Darcy” on his arm.

Bibby has played in the NBA for 11 years. He played for the Vancouver Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings. Currently, Bibby plays for the Atlanta Hawks. On July 7, 2009 Bibby and the Hawks agreed to a three-year deal worth about $18 million.

Meet Va’Shaundya “Shuanie” Nelson O’Neal, wife of NBA Star Shaquille O’Neal. On December 26th, 2002, Shaq married former film marketer Shaunie, at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

They have four children together: Shareef Rashaun, Amirah Sanaa, Shaquir Rashaun, and Me’arah Sanaa. The couple’s daughter, Me’arah Sanaa O’Neal, was born at 4:57 a.m. on May 1, 2006, which was, coincidentally, the same day Kobe Bryant’s second daughter was born. She weighed 8 lb., 1 oz., and was 21 inches long.

Shaunie has another son, Myles, from a previous relationship. Shaq also has a daughter, Taahirah (born July 18th, 1996), by  his ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh.

Peep the photo of Arnetta Yardbourgh ( Shaq’s daughter mother)

Arnetta Yardbourgh is a professional and personal life coach. She is the creator and facilitator of OTR Life Coaching, Inc. Prior to starting her own business, Arnetta earned her BA in Speech Communication from the University of Houston and her MLA from Houston Baptist University.

On September 4, 2007, O’ Neal filed for divorce from his wife Shaunie in a Miami-Dade Circuit court.

According to the petition, “The marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken”, and that Shaunie was “secretive about her assets … particularly with respect to certain properties owned or titled in either [her] name alone or in other entities” and requests that the court require Shaunie to give a “correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds, and other securities (including bearer securities)” Shaunie later said that the couple had gotten back together and that the divorce was withdrawn.

Peep the video below of  Shaunie O’Neal talking about her new reality tv show called “NBA Wives.”

Meet Kris Campion Rivers, wife of NBA star player and coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers. Kris and Doc met when they were freshmen in college at Marquette University in Milwaukee back  in 1979. She met Glenn one day after class. He walked past her and said, “You know, you’d be kind of pretty if you washed your hair once in a while.” Kris Campion was too astonished to be offended. “He came back and said, `Now I don’t want to give you the wrong idea. I don’t want to date you. But I have a friend I might want to fix you up with,’ ” Kris said. The friend was basketball teammate Marc Marotta. He and Kris dated for a year or so, but one summer, he went overseas, and when he came back, Kris and Glenn had fallen in love.

Kris said, “People were so startled.” “Friends asked me, `What’s it like dating a black guy?’ ” I told them, `That’s the problem. You see him as black. I see him as a man.’ “  At that time, the idea of a mixed couple at the school didn’t sit well with some people. As a result, someone slashed Kris’ tires and keyed her car because of the fact that she was white and had the audacity to date a black man. Also, someone found out where Kris and her parents lived and spray-painted their home. Kris said the crank phone calls were crude and frightening. To this day, Kris thinks these racially motivated incidents played a key role in Glen’s decision to leave college early and head to the NBA.

Kris and Glenn married in 1986. They have four children: Jeremiah, Callie, Austin and Spencer. Their oldest son Jeremiah played basketball for Georgetown University before transferring to play for Indiana University. Their daughter Callie plays volleyball for the University of Florida. They also have  a younger son, Austin, who has verbally committed to the University of Florida men’s basketball team. Austin Rivers is considered a top 10 basketball prospect in the class of 2011.

Currently, Kris and Glenn live in Orlando, Florida with their four children.

Glenn Doc Rivers played 13 years in the NBA. Rivers played for the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs. Also, Glenn has coached in the NBA for the last 10 years. He coached the Orlando Magic from 1999–2003. Currently, he is the coach of the Boston Celtics (2004–present).

Photos By: Phelan M. Ebenhack
Info Source: Boston.com

Meet Cassandra Merricks, wife of NBA star player and coach Avery Johnson. Both from the same hometown of  New Orleans, Cassandra and Avery met in college at Southern University in nearby Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Johnson married Cassandra in July 6th, 1991 in New Orleans. They have two children, Christianne and Avery Jr.

Despite having a nationally visible husband, Cassandra, a nursing school graduate, keeps a low-profile. Part of the reason is that they don’t want Christianne and Avery Jr. in the spotlight’s glare.  Cassandra says, “We don’t want our kids, everywhere we go, to hear people saying, ‘Those are Avery Johnson’s kids.’ ” She adds, “After kids hear that over and over, they think they are different. “They’re blessed. They have many benefits of having a great father, a successful father and a very smart man. We’ve got to be grateful and thankful.”

Cassandra and Avery have a strong passion for helping others. They financially and spiritually support many church programs in New Orleans, Houston and Dallas.

Avery Johnson played 16 years in the NBA. He played for the Seattle Super Sonics, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks.

Also, Avery was a coach for the Dallas Mavericks (2004–2008).

Currently, Avery Johnson is ESPN/ABC studio analyst.

Meet Brandy Duncan, wife of NBA star Jason Maxiell. Brandy and Jason met back in high school. Two years ago, Brandy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Brandy battled her cancer head on and won with Jason by her side through all the hard times. Jason not only stayed with her, but he shaved his head bald to offer Brandy support when she was going through Chemotherapy.

Since Brandy’s cancer is now in remission, Jason decided to give her the most beautiful dream wedding ever. On August 2009, Jason married his longtime fiancé Brandi in Dallas, Texas.

Peep the wedding pictures below:

The couple hired famous wedding planner Donnie Brown(above) from ”Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?” to host their wedding.

After all the tough times they have been through, Jason (above) was overcome with emotion when he saw Brandy come down the aisle.

Jason’s NBA baller friends Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson, Richard Hamilton, Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace, Maurice Evans, Jarvis Hayes, and Theo Ratliff were all in attendance.

Also, the NBA baller wives were there for the celebration . The baller wives in attendance:  Fatima Wallace, Liara McDyess, Illia Hayes, Farrah Prince, and TJ Hamilton.

Congratulations to Brandy and Jason!

Meet Anita Scott, wife of former NBA star player and current coach Byron Scott.  Byron married his wife of 29 years Anita back in 1984. They have three children, Thomas, LonDen and DaRon.

Ten years ago, when Byron left the basketball court as a player and began coaching, he made a change to his appearance.

“The earring had to come out,” said Anita, his official stylist. Anita plays a big role in clothing choices for Byron.

Byron says,” It took me a little while to understand my wife’s point, but she was right.” “You have to differentiate between a player and a coach. “If I wanted to be taken seriously, I needed to look the part, set the standard.”

Peep the video below of  Byron and Anita discussing clothing choices before a game inside of his closet.

Byron played 15 years in the NBA. He has coached 9 years. Byron is the current head coach of the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets. He was an important component of the Los Angeles Lakers championship teams of the mid-to-late 1980s.

Meet Kimberly Ashley Awad, wife of NBA star Delonte West. The recent newlyweds eloped over the Fourth of July weekend 2009 in Las Vegas.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Delonte’s dad, Dmitri West, revealed some details about the couple’s recent wedding. Dmitri West told the Post that Kimberly was his son’s college sweetheart from Saint Joseph’s University. “They’ve been together on and off over the last four years,” he said. “She’s a nice girl from an upscale family in New Jersey.” Only fellow Cavalier Mo Williams and his wife were present at the nuptials. But “down the line he might have a big family wedding,” the elder West told the Washington Post.

Prior to marrying Kimberly, Delonte’s live-in ex-girlfriend, Caryn Taylor, allegedly went buck wild when Delonte tried to end the Caryn Taylor, who was Delonte West’s live-in girlfriend, allegedly went buck wild when Delonte tried to end their relationship. According to the police report, Taylor choked and bit West, and tried to slash her own wrists with shards of glass. Caryn Taylor told police she wasn’t trying to kill herself but was cutting herself to show Delonte she wasn’t “(F#cking) around” about their relationship. Caryn said she was angry because West’s friends and family had been staying with them and were “picking on her.”

Currently, Delonte West plays basketball for the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers.

Meet Vanessa Laine Bryant, wife of NBA all-star Kobe Bryant. In November 1999, 21 year old  Kobe  met 17 year old Vanessa Laine while she was working as a background dancer on the Tha Eastsidaz music video “G’d Up”. Kobe was in the same building working on his debut musical album, which was never released.

Peep the video below of Vanessa as a background dancer in the video G’d Up .

After meeting in the same studio, the two began dating and became engaged just six months later in May 2000, while Vanessa was still a senior at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California. To avoid media scrutiny, she finished high school through independent study.

Vanessa and Kobe  married on April 18, 2001 in Dana Point, California. Neither Kobe’s parents, his two sisters, longtime advisor and agent Arn Tellem, nor his Los Angeles Laker teammates attended. Bryant’s parents were opposed to the marriage for a number of reasons. Reportedly Kobe’s parents had problems with him marrying so young, especially to a woman who was not African-American.  This disagreement resulted in an estrangement period of over two years, which ended when Kobe had his first daughter.

The couple’s first child, a daughter named Natalia Diamante Bryant, was born on January 19, 2003. The birth of Natalia influenced Bryant to reconcile his differences with his parents. Vanessa Bryant suffered a miscarriage due to an ectopic pregnancy in the spring of 2005. Their second daughter, Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, was born on May 1, 2006. Gianna was born six minutes ahead of former teammate Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter Me’arah Sanaa, who was born in Florida.

Vanessa Cornejo Urbieta Laine Bryant, born May 5, 1982, is of Mexican and Irish descent. Both of her parents are of Mexican descent. Vanessa was born in Huntington Beach, California. Vanessa’s parents divorced when she was just a baby, after which her father had moved to Baja, Mexico. Vanessa’s mother remarried in 1990 to Stephen Laine. In high school Vanessa legally changed her family name to Laine even though Stephen never adopted her.

Kobe Bryant’s Sexual Assault Case:

In the summer of 2003, the sheriff’s office of Eagle, Colorado arrested Bryant in connection with an investigation of a sexual assault complaint filed by 19-year old hotel employee Katelyn Faber. Bryant had checked into The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera hotel in Eagle, Colorado in advance of undergoing knee surgery nearby. Faber accused Bryant of raping her in his hotel room the night before Bryant was to have the procedure.

Kobe admitted to the sexual encounter with his accuser Katelyn Faber, but denied her sexual assault allegation.

Peep the video below of  Kobe speaking publicly about the accusation with Vanessa standing by his side.

The accusation tarnished Kobe’s reputation, as the public’s perception of Bryant plummeted, and his endorsement contracts with McDonald’s and Nutella were terminated. Sales for Bryant’s replica jersey fell significantly.

However, in September 2004 the assault case was dropped by prosecutors after Faber refused to testify in the trial. Afterward, Bryant agreed to apologize to Faber for the incident. Katelyn Faber filed a separate civil lawsuit against Bryant, which the two sides settled with the specific terms of the settlement being undisclosed to the public.

A fight broke out at the St. Petersburg City Council following a vote to turn a sidewalk into private property.

Meet Lauren Prothe, wife of NBA star Nene Hilario. The two met through Nene’s close friend and personal manager’s wife, who played volleyball with the 6-foot-1 Lauren in high school. When talking about the first time he met Lauren, Nene’s face lit up. Nene says, “What can I say? She’s everything.” “She’s my promise from God. She’s all.”

The couple married on February 14th, 2009 at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Denver. Four days after getting married, Nene was all smiles. Nene says,”I feel wonderful, bro,” “It’s so good when she calls me, ‘Oh, my husband.’ ”

Nene is thinking about starting a family. “God test us,” Nene said. “Now we deserve the blessings — the marriage, the kids. We are going to be so happy.”

Lauren Prothe, a Fort Collins native, speaks fluent Portuguese. She is an ex-Colorado State University volleyball player.

Nene plays for the NBA Denver Nuggets. In 2006, Nene signed a $60 million dollar contract.

Photos By: Joshua Duplechian

Meet Cindy “CeCe” Blackwell, wife of NBA star Carlos Boozer. Cece met Carlos in college at Duke University. Cece had no idea her future husband, Carlos, was a basketball player when they met on the Duke campus.  Cindy says, “He said he was on the team, but I didn’t know anything about him as a player.” After years of dating, CeCe and Carlos married in the summer of 2002.

After 6 years of marriage, Carlos filed for Divorce on March 26, 2009, although the two are reportedly trying to reconcile.  The Salt Lake Tribune says it has confirmed that Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer and his wife, CeCe, are attempting to reconcile. The Boozers sat together courtside at Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Cindy and Carlos have three children. In May 2006, Cece gave birth to their first son, Carmani, who was diagnosed with sickle-cell anemia. In July 2007, Cece gave birth to twin boys, Cameron and Cayden.

Peep the video below of Cece and carlos discussing their son Carmani’s diagnosis of sickle cell amemia.

Carlos Boozer was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2002; he played with them for two seasons and then signed with the Utah Jazz. He made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2003 and is a two-time NBA All-Star; with Team USA, he has also won Olympic Bronze and Gold Medals.

Meet Shannon Elliott, wife of  former NBA star David Wesley. Shannon met David at a club in Rhode Island. On December 31, 1999, David asked Shannon to be his wife.

Shannon says, “I was totally surprised when he asked me to marry him.” “We’d been dating for about five years before then, and we’d talked about getting married in the past, but we were going to wait until after David was done playing basketball.”

The couple has three children together, daughters, Hallie and Jada, and son David Wesley Jr.

David Wesley played 14 years in the NBA. David played for: New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers (2006–2007)

Currently, Wesley is now a student manager for the Baylor Bears men’s basketball team, for whom he played from 1990 to 1993, while also completing his undergraduate degree in physical education.

Peep the video below of  David Wesley going back to college to complete his degree.

Meet Liara Williams, wife of NBA star Antonio McDyess. On July 30th, 2007, Liara married her long time boyfriend Antonio in a private ceremony held in Santa Barbara, California before traveling to an exclusive island resort in Cuixmala, Mexico. The pair were accompanied by 60 family members and friends on the island.

The couple has no children together, but Antonio has a nine year old son, Artavious McDyess from a previous relationship. When talking about his wife and son, Antonio says, I’m happy they are in my life. I’m lucky to have them with me and me to be with them”.

Currently, Liara is a writer and Antonio plays for the NBA San Antonio Spurs.