11 NBA players who had controversial relationships

Some NBA players, several of them millionaires, have had publicly documented troubles in their relationships. Here is a look at 11 such NBA players:

#11 Carlos Boozer

In 2011, Michelle Money claimed in an interview that she had an affair with Carlos Boozer, who was with the Utah Jazz in 2009. Boozer was still married to CeCe Boozer during his alleged affair.

“The Bachelor” star said this in a Life & Style interview:

“I should never have been so naïve to assume what I was told was true. I’m not trying to shy away from the fact that he was still married. I don’t put that on Carlos. I don’t put that on anyone but myself.

“All I can do is try to do better with my life. I screwed up. But I can only try to do the best I can.”

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#10 Carmelo Anthony

Former NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony and his ex-wife Lala Anthony had been together since they were 19 years old. In 2021, the erstwhile wife filed for divorce for the second time after allegations of infidelity.

In an interview with The Breakfast Club, Lala Anthony expressed her shock when she heard that her husband had allegedly been unfaithful to her. The affairs reportedly started when he was traded to the New York Knicks in 2011.

After the split with Carmelo Anthony, Lala said in an interview:

“I’m never getting married again. It’s one of those things in life that I feel like I checked it off. I can have an incredible relationship with somebody and not be married.”

The two made a rare public appearance, coming together since their separation in 2021, at the Nike World Festival in September 2023 to support their son Kiyan.

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#9 Tony Parker

Tony Parker and Eva Longoria were married for seven years. The San Antonio Spurs point guard and the “Desperate Housewife” star seemed like the perfect couple.

Longoria disclosed later, however, that Parker was allegedly having an affair with Erin Barry, the wife of former teammate Brent Barry.

It didn’t take long for Parker and Longoria to head to Splitsville. Unfortunately, the former Barry couple also went in the same direction.

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#8 Nick Young

Nick Young and Iggy Azalea were never married but they were engaged on June 1, 2015. The Australian singer posted a tweet, which was later deleted, about why she broke up with the former NBA guard.

"I broke up with Nick because I found out he had brought other women into our home while I was away and caught them on the security footage."

D’Angelo Russell, a teammate with the Lakers, took a video of Young admitting his numerous affairs. The incident reportedly caused tension in the locker room.

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#7 Ray Allen

Ray Allen posted on Twitter his messages to a young woman he was allegedly having an affair with. Instead of sending them via DM, he unintentionally let his wife, Shannon Williams, and the world know about the relationship he was seemingly involved in.

Later, he insisted that his account was hacked.

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#6 Al Horford

Al Horford was already married when he met Amelia Vega, with whom he had an affair. After nearly a month of spending time with Vega, they split from their respective partners and got married.

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#5 Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian were married for four years. They got hitched just a month after they met. The “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star eventually filed for divorce in 2013.

The NBA champ's drug addiction and numerous alleged affairs were two of the reasons why Kardashian called it quits.

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#4 Paul George

Paul George wasn’t married to Doc Rivers’ daughter Callie but was in a serious relationship with her. But the LA Clippers guard allegedly had a one-night stand with former stripper Daniela Rajic and impregnated her.

Rajic subsequently sent proof that the NBA star wanted her to have an abortion.

Callie Rivers moved on and married Seth Curry, the brother of Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry.

Paul George and Daniela Rajic also tied the knot.

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#3 Dwyane Wade

Former NBA player Dwayne Wade and actress Gabrille Union are one of the power couples in sports and entertainment. Before they began this rock-solid relationship, the Hall of Famer admitted he cheated on Union and fathered a child with another woman.

They weren't married when Wade had the relationship, but the actress said at the time she should have left him after that.

In November 2018, Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union welcomed their daughter, Kaavia James, through surrogacy. Additionally, Union serves as a stepmother to Wade's three children from previous relationships.

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#2 Shaquille O’Neal

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has admitted on a few occasions that he was a serial cheater. He also wrote about it on his book, "Shaq Uncut: My Story." His infidelity was the reason why his former wife and kids left him.

One of the NBA's most likable personalities reiterated he was a "serial cheater" in his podcast.

Shaq blamed only himself for why his marriage with Shaunie Henderson failed. O’Neal also refused to criticize former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka about his alleged misconduct as he didn't want to be labeled a hypocrite.

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#1 Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan, the NBA legend, was married to Juanita Vanoy for 17 years. His former wife filed for divorce in 2002, citing irreconcilable differences.

Vanoy hired a private PI to check on “His Airness.” As per the investigation, Jordan had allegedly cheated on his erstwhile wife with at least six different women.