This article was originally published on JustStarz
"Behind every great man is a great woman", so the saying goes. Well, this certainly applies to the stars of the NBA, whose wives and girlfriends are the real MVPs—they stand beside and support their men through thick and thin. Basketball players spend a lot of time on the road, so having a family to come to is crucial for their mental wellbeing and ability to perform on the court. Check out the most intriguing better halves of the NBA's biggest stars—we salute them!
CJ McCollum And Elise Esposito
Star guard CJ McCollum made a name for himself while dominating offenses at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. McCollum was named the Patriot League Player of the Year in both 2010 and 2012 during his time playing for the Mountain Hawks, which led to the Portland Trail Blazers selecting him as the 10th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. But more importantly, off the court, Lehigh was where CJ met his new fiancee, Elise Esposito.
An incredibly smart young lady, Elise was studying for a double major in Behavioral Neuroscience/Pre-medicine while at the Pennsylvania college and is now a fully-fledged Doctor of Dental Surgery. What a couple!
Nick Young And Keonna Green
Nick Young AKA "Swaggy P", is a star shooting guard who played college ball for the USC Trojans where he was a two-time first-team all-conference selection in the Pac-10. Young was hot property going into the 2007 NBA draft and was taken 16th overall by the Washington Wizards. Swaggy P's love life became front-page news in 2015 when he and Australian rapper Iggy Azalea announced their engagement, but this ended a year later after a video of Young discussing how he was having an affair with another woman surfaced.
It turns out that the woman in question was Keonna Green, Nick's high school sweetheart. The two already had a child together at this point and Keonna was 22 weeks pregnant with their second when Azalea ended her relationship with her NBA beau.
Zion Williamson And Tiana White
Power Forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, Zion Williamson is a force to be reckoned with. After dominating defenses as a freshman at Duke University, Williamson was selected by the Pelicans with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and this year became the fourth-youngest NBA player to be selected to an All-Star game. When he's not shooting hoops, Zion spends time with his beautiful high school sweetheart, Tiana White.
Zion and Tiana met while at Spartanburg High School in South Carolina. Like her baller boyfriend, White is an athlete — she was part of the cheerleading squad, volleyball team, and track team during her time at Spartanburg.
Bradley Beal and Kamiah Adams
Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal was the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft has since gone on to be a three-time NBA All-Star. Beal's long-term girlfriend is Kamiah Adams, a super successful Instagram model with over 800,000 followers. Prior to dating Bradley, Kamiah was in a relationship with the hip-hop artist Lil' Fizz, so she knows a thing or two about living her personal life in the public eye.
Beale and Adams first got together in 2015 and four years later they welcomed their first son into the world. Like all supportive partners, Kamiah really gets behind her man when he's doing his thing — the model's meme-worthy courtside reactions have become a thing of internet legend!
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger
Born in Athens and standing at a touring 2.11m tall, the "Greek Freak", Giannis Antetokounmpo began playing basketball for the Athens-based team Filathlitikos, where he remained until being selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 NBA draft. Arguably the best player currently in the league, Antetokounmpo won back-to-back NBA MVP awards in 2019 and 2020, as well as being named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. But who is Giannis' MVP off the court?
Mariah Riddlesprigger is an intern at the NBA after studying Sports Management and Sociology at Rice University. Mariah is also a handy volleyball player — she was a high school star and went on to play for her college. The super cute long-term couple recently welcomed their first child together.
Steph Curry and Ayesha Curry
Arguably the biggest name in basketball, Steph Curry is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards of all time. A seven-time NBA All-Star, Curry has been named the NBA MVP twice and has won three NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors. In fact, many the points machine single-handedly revolutionized the game by inspiring teams to regularly utilize the three-point shot. Steph and his beautiful partner, Ayesha Alexander (now Curry) have a long history together.
The couple first met in their teens at a church youth group, then reconnected in 2008 by which time Steph was a big name in the NBA and Ayesha was pursuing a career in Hollywood. Three years later they got married in the same church they first met. Truly romantic!
Paul George and Daniela Rajic
A seven-time NBA All-Star and six-time member of the All-NBA Team, Paul George played college ball for Fresno State before being drafted 10th overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2010. "PG-13" is undoubtedly one of the best shooting guards the league has ever seen but he's been equally as successful off the court when it comes to his love life. George is in a relationship with the stunning Daniela Rajic and the couple has two children together.
Although Paul and Daniela couldn't be happier together, there was controversy when the two got together, due to the former University of Miami model's exotic dancer past. All's well that ends well, however, since it was in the club Daniela worked where she met her baller partner!
Russell Westbrook and Nina Earl
Point guard Russell Westbrook is a certified legend of the NBA. A nine-time NBA All-Star, he became one of two players in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season (2017), along with Oscar Robertson in 1962. Westbrook also set a record for the most triple-doubles in a season, with a staggering 42. The California native played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, which is where he met his sweetheart, Nina Earl.
Also a talented basketball player, Nina played ball for the Bruins before becoming a successful business owner — her boutique in Oaklahoma sells gifts for mothers and babies. The cute couple tied the knot in 2015 and have 3 beautiful children.
Kyrie Irving and Marlene Wilkerson
Selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft, point guard Kyrie Irving is a seven-time All-Star and a three-time member of the All-NBA Team. Kyrie is a legend on the court and off it, he's an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and an active philanthropist to his Lakota people on the reservation. In 2018, the basketball star was seen with model Marlene Wilkerson AKA Golden.
Although Kyrie and Marlene have never publicly announced their relationship status, Wilkerson — who has almost half and million followers on Instagram — was spotted with a ring on her finger shortly after the couple was first seen together.
Joel Embiid and Anne De Paula
It only took Joel Embiid one year of college basketball — where he starred for the Kansas Jayhawks — to convince the Philidelphia 76ers to select him as the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. And boy were they right to do so. After a couple of frustrating seasons battling injuries, "The Process" has received four All-Star selections so far and become a points machine in the league. However, Joel's partner isn't shy of the limelight either.
Anne de Paula is a Sports Illustrated model from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Often spotted supporting her man at courtside, Anna comforted Joel after his team's devastating defeat to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA playoffs.
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union
One of the greatest to ever do it, former NBA star Dwayne Wade won three NBA championships, was a 13-time NBA All-Star, and an 8-time member of the All-NBA Team. A member of the Miami Heat for the vast majority of his illustrious playing career, D. Wade is Miami's all-time leader in points, games, assists, steals, shots made, and shots taken. Not just a legend on-court, Wade is also one-half of an NBA power couple.
Being Mary Jane actress, Gabrielle Union first met her future husband in 2007 at a sponsored Super Bowl event. The couple didn't make their red carpet debut together until 2010 but it was worth the wait — 13 years later they're still married with kids!
LeBron James and Savannah James
What more can you say about the modern-day GOAT, King James? Widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history, LeBron is the only player to have won NBA championships with three franchises — the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, and the Lakers — as NBA Finals MVP. During his 18-year career, James has been selected to the All-NBA Team a record 17 times. In a word? Ridiculous. Like his career, LeBron's relationship with his wife Savannah is also a fairytale.
The two are both from Akron, Ohio, and met while they were in high school. Savannah was also a talented athlete — she was on the cheerleading squad and the softball team. After having the first child in 2004, the couple tied the knot in 2013.
Kawhi Leonard and Kishele Shipley
Five-time NBA All-Star Kawhi Leonard played two seasons of college ball for the San Diego State Aztecs before being selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 15th overall pick of the 2011 NBA draft. Traded on the night to the San Antonio Spurs, "Klaw" spent 7 seasons with the Spurs, winning a championship in 2014, before leading the Toronto Raptors to their first championship in their franchise history in 2019.
Kawhi's girlfriend of 7 years, Kishele Shipley, is something of a mystery since both are extremely private people. What we do know is that the couple welcomed their first baby girl, Kaliyah, in 2016.
Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai
Star forward Jayson Tatum played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils before entering the 2017 NBA draft, where he was snapped up by the Boston Celtics with the third overall pick. Jayson's love life has been slightly complicated, having recently split up with his childhood sweetheart and mother of his child, Toriah Lachell. Jayson Jr. was born in 2017, and the couple never married before something of an acrimonious breakup.
Toriah accused Jayson of having two relationships at once — she could have been referring to British R&B star, Ella Mai, who Tatum was rumored to be dating in 2020.
Donovan Mitchell and Deja Lighty
Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell was a star player for the NCAA Division 1 Louisville Cardinals and was selected by the Denver Nuggets 13th overall in the 2017 NBA draft. He was traded on the night to the Utah Jazz — a decision the Nuggets probably regret — and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Donovan's girlfriend, Deja Lighty, is also a talented athlete, having been a lacrosse star and leading cheerleader while at high school.
Lighty is also a huge basketball fan. The Bronx native was team manager for her school’s basketball team and later worked as a basketball recruiter for Temple University. Not only that, Deja is also signed to a couple of modeling agencies.
Damian Lillard and Kay’La Hanson
After being selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, Lillard was unanimously voted the NBA Rookie of the Year. Nicknamed "Dame Time" for his history of making big shots in the clutch, Damian is one of only two players in Trail Blazers franchise history to become a six-time All-Star. D.L. met his partner, Kay’La Hanson, while at Weber State University in Utah.
Kay’La was a medical student at Weber State and went on to study nursing at Nightingale College in Utah. The couple live together in Oregon and have an adorable two-year-old son.
Iman Shumpert and Teyana Taylor
Shooting guard, Iman Shumpert, played ball for Georgia Tech before being selected by the New York Knicks with the 17th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. The Illinois native may be a star in the NBA, but he's also a star of reality TV — Iman won Season 30 of Dancing with the Stars with pro dancer Daniella Karagach, and is famously one-half of "Teyana and Iman", the reality show that follows "The ultimate Gen Z power couple".
"Teyana" is, of course, Teyana Taylor, the actress, singer, dancer, and model. Taylor signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music label through Def Jam and has released music with the label for the best part of a decade.
Kyle Lowry and Ayahna Cornish-Lowry
Deadly point guard Kyle Lowry was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2006 NBA draft after two seasons dominating college defenses with the Villanova Wildcats. The 35-year-old has had a stellar NBA career — the Miami Heat vet is a six-time NBA All-Star. When Kyle isn't on the court, he's likely spending time with his wife and the mother of their two children, Ayahna Cornish-Lowry.
The basketball-crazy couple are both Philidelphia natives and met while at high school. Like her man, Ayahna is a handy ball player — she played for St. Joseph’s University, where she was named Best Offensive Player.
Ray Allen and Shannon Walker Williams
A legend of the sport, Ray Allen played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in September 2018. The lethal shooting guard was selected fifth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1996 NBA draft and went on to win championships with the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. Allen and his wife, Shannon Walker Williams met the same year he was drafted into the NBA.
Initially part of a music group called the Shades, Shannon moved into acting during the early 2000s, starring in the movie Girlfight. These days, the mother of 4 runs her own restaurant in Miami.
Chris Bosh and Adrienne Bosh
A recent electee into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Texas-born Chris Bosh was a special talent. Following just one season at Georgia Tech, the giant power forward declared for the 2003 NBA draft, where the Toronto Raptors wasted no time in selecting him fourth overall. While at Toronto, Bosh became a five-time NBA All-Star, before signing with the Miami Heat to form the "Big Three" — alongside LeBron James and Dwayne Wade.
Chris met his wife Adrienne Williams through mutual friends at a charity event in New York. After spending time as friends, the two eventually became a couple and, in 2011, tied the knot in style at Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau. Lavish!
Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto
Simply put, MJ was the GOAT. "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time" — so says the NBA official website, and no one would really dispute this. "Air Jordan" played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls and becoming a global icon in the process. In 2014, Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history, thanks in part to his staggeringly successful partnership with Nike — MJ's Air Jordan sneakers were first released in 1984 and remain hugely popular today.
Jordan and his second wife, Yvette Prieto, met in 2007 and were married six years later. A Florida-born model of Cuban descent, Prieto gave birth to the couple's twin daughters in 2014.
Grant Hill and Tamia Hill
Widely considered one of Duke University's greatest ever players, Grant Hill played 4 years for his college before the Detroit Pistons swooped third in the 1994 NBA draft for his signature. Early in his NBA career, Hill was reckoned to be one of the best all-around players in the league and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. Following retirement, the former small forward became co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks.
Hill's wife is the multi-talented singer, songwriter, actress, and producer, Tamia. The Canadian star has released seven albums to date, and Mr. and Mrs. Hill have two daughters, Myla Grace and Lael Rose.
Stephon Marbury and LaTasha Marbury
Stephon Marbury had a super interesting basketball career. Following his freshman year at Georgia Tech, he was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. The point guard represented five different teams while in the league and was an NBA All-Star in 2001. Nine years later, Marbury headed to China to play in the CBA and won three championships with the Beijing Ducks.
Stephen is one of only a few NBA players who stayed married to the same wife for his entire career — he and LaTasha tied the knot in 2002 and have 2 children together. You might recognize Mrs. Marbury from VH1’s reality show, Basketball Wives.
Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson
Often regarded as the best point guard of all time, Earvin "Magic" Johnson played 13 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers and was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. After being selected first overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers, Magic won a championship and an NBA Finals MVP Award in his rookie season. The shooting sensation has also had a remarkable relationship off the court.
Magic and his wife Cookie met all the way back in 1977 while both a college. The cute couple dated for over a decade before marrying in 1991, welcoming their first son a year later.
Derek Fisher and Gloria Govan
Point guard Derek Fisher played in the NBA for a staggering 18 seasons, spending the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers (alongside the likes of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal), with whom he won five NBA championships. Since retiring, Fisher has moved into coaching and is currently the head coach and GM for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. Derek's finance is the beautiful Gloria Govan.
The couple has been dating since 2015, at which time Fisher was involved in a physical altercation with former teammate Matt Barnes, during a party at Barnes' home and over his ex-wife, Govan.
Tony Parker and Axelle Francine
Six-time NBA All-Star, Tony Parker played two years for Paris Basket Racing in the French basketball league before being selected 28th overall in the 2001 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. An elite point guard, Parker became a legend in San Antonio, winning four championships with his team. The French-American star had a high-profile relationship with Eva Longoria between 2005-2010, but the couple eventually divorced amid rumors of Parker's infidelity.
Tony seems to have learned lessons from his famous first marriage and keeps things super low-key with his current wife of six years, the beautiful French journalist, Axelle Francine. The couple has two sons together, Josh and Liam.
Eric Bledsoe and Morgan Poole
Eric Bledsoe played just one season of college basketball with the Kentucky Wildcats before being selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 18th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft. Traded on the night to the Los Angeles Clippers, Bledsoe went on to play in Phoenix, Milwaukee, and New Orleans, before resigning for the Clippers this year. The talented point guard's partner is the gorgeous Morgan Poole, and the two are high school sweethearts.
Morgan is often courtside supporting her husband, although her professional interest is in the salon, as a hairstylist. The cute couple has two sons, Ethan and Emory, and a daughter, Eriauna.
JJ Redick and Chelsea Kilgore
After starring in college for the Duke Blue Devils, JJ Redick was selected 11th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2006 NBA draft. The shooting guard had seven successful seasons in Orlando before moving around the league — JJ had spells at the Bucks, Clippers, 76ers, and Pelicans. These days, Redick is known for his sports analysis with ESPN. The former NBA star and his wife, Chelsea Kilgore, have been married since 2010.
The active couple shares a love of sports and fitness — Chelsea is a pilates instructor by trade. They also devote a lot of time to JJ's foundation, which helps young teens and children find their path in life.
Shaquille O’Neal and Annie Ilonzeh
One of the greatest to ever grace the court, Shaquille O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion and one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and Finals MVP awards in the same year. Arguably the most physically imposing player in NBA history, the 7ft 1in center routinely dominated defenses to the extent it felt unfair! While Shaq had huge success on the court, off the court his relationships haven't been plain sailing.
Married to his first wife, Shaunie Nelson for many years, the couple had four children together. After divorcing in 2009, Shaq had relationships with reality star Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander and model Laticia Rolle and is now dating actress Annie Ilonzeh.
Isaiah Thomas and Kayla Wallace
NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas played three years of college basketball for the Washington Huskies, before being scooped up by the Sacramento Kings with the final pick of the 2011 NBA draft. It's fair to say that the talented point guard has had something of a journeyman career, representing no less than 8 teams in the league. While his career has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, his relationship has been a constant.
Isaiah and his wife Kayla Wallace met in high school and dated for a long time before tying the knot in 2016. A graduate of Central Washington University, Kayla works as a teacher.
Klay Thompson and Laura Harrier
Credited as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, five-time NBA All-Star Klay Thompson has formed a formidable partnership with fellow three-point magician Steph Curry as part of the Golden State Warriors. In fact, the "Splash Brothers" have both been with the Warriors their entire NBA careers, leading the franchise to 3 championships. Off the court, Klay enjoys a fairly private personal life with his partner, the actress Laura Harrier.
The Chicago native moved to New York aged 17 to pursue acting and immediately became a successful model. Her big break came in 2017 when she played Peter Parker's love interest, Liz, in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Kevin Love and Kate Bock
Five-time All-Star and gold medal-winner Kevin Love has had a decorated career in the NBA. Initially with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the power forward has been a key cog in the Cleveland Cavaliers machine since 2014, with whom he won a championship in 2016. While he's not shooting hoops, Kevin is very much in Love with his Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, Kate Bock, who he met on the set of a commercial they were shooting together.
While the couple both have busy schedules and Kate's work requires her to travel a lot, the Canadian beauty has spoken about the unexpected benefits of a remote relationship — it's all the more special when they spend time together.
Marc Gasol and Cristina Blesa
Three-time NBA All-Star Marc Gasol was drafted 48th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2007 NBA draft. After a decade with the Memphis Grizzlies, the 6ft 11in center was traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he won a championship in 2019. The Spanish star has also been an ever-present for his national team since 2006, winning two Olympic silver medals for his country. Quite the resume. Less is known about Gasol's private life, however.
What we do know is that Marc's wife, Cristina Blesa, is also Spanish. The couple had a secretive wedding on a Spanish island in 2013 and welcomed a daughter, Julia Gasol Blesa.
Chris Paul and Jada Crawley
One of the greatest point guards in NBA history, Chris Paul has been selected to eleven NBA All-Star teams in his illustrious career so far. The Wake Forest phenom was selected fourth overall in the 2005 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets, where he developed into one of the league's elite players. As if NBA dominance wasn't enough, CP3 also has 2 Olympic gold medals with Team USA. But what about his romantic life?
The North Carolina native and his wife, Jada Crawley, met while at Wake Forest together, all the way back in 2003. After eight years of dating the coupled got hitched in 2011 and have two kids. Jada helps Chris with the Chris Paul Family Foundation, a community organization.
Tim Duncan and Vanessa Macias
San Antonio Spurs icon Tim Duncan is widely regarded as the greatest power forward of all time and one of the greatest players in NBA history. "The Big Fundamental" was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. The former power forward now spends time working with his foundation, the Tim Duncan Foundation to raise health awareness and fund education and youth sports programs.
Duncan's partner is the TV personality, Vanessa Macias. The couple isn't yet married but welcomed their first child together in 2017, a boy named Quill. This choice of name generated a lot of publicity at the time — the two are clearly huge Marvel fans!
Nik Stauskas and Alexandra Brynn
Canadian shooting guard Nik Stauskas was drafted eighth overall in the 2014 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, following two successful seasons of college ball with the Michigan Wolverines. The 6ft 6in star has represented a number of NBA teams since being in the league, including the Kings, 76ers, Nets, Trail Blazers, and Cavaliers. Stauskas, who is of Lithuanian descent, met his partner, Alexandra Brynn, in 2017 and the couple was engaged a year later.
Brynn was a law student at the University of Delaware but transferred to the University of Oregon after her man's trade to the Trail Blazers. Alexandra and Nic share their romance regularly on their social media channels. Cute!
RJ Barrett and Hailey Brown
Canadian basketball sensation RJ Barrett played one year of college ball with the Duke Blue Devils before being selected third overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. RJ was the first player since LeBron James to sweep all major awards in high school and win the national championship. Not only does the small forward come from a family of athletes — dad was a basketball player and mom was a sprinter — so does his girlfriend.
Hailey Brown is a basketball player for the University of Michigan, where she's one of the stars on the team. Brown's ultimate aim is to play in the WNBA.
J. J. Barea and Viviana Ortiz
J. J. Barea played college basketball for Northeastern University in Boston before joining the Dallas Mavericks in 2006 and becoming only the seventh Puerto Rican to play in the NBA. An ever-present for the Mavericks, Barea helped his franchise win the championship in 2011 before signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. J. J.'s partner is the stunning Puerto Rican actress Viviana Ortiz, who was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico in 2011.
Barea and Ortiz have been dating since 2013, and eventually tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Puerto Rico after welcoming their first baby, a girl named Paulina Barea Ortiz.
Draymond Green and Hazel Renee
Power forward Draymond Green is a three-time NBA champion and a three-time NBA All-Star. Green had a successful four-year college career with Michigan State before being drafted 35th overall in the 2012 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors, going on to play a key role in the Warriors' 2015, 2017, and 2018 championship teams. Off the court, Draymond is engaged to Hazel Renee, one of the stars of Basketball Wives.
While Renee is a certified reality TV star, she's also an accomplished actor and appeared in the popular musical drama, Empire. The star couple got engaged in style — Draymond presented the future Mrs. Green with a $300,000 engagement ring!
Luka Doncic and Anamaria Goltes
Slovenian phenom Luka Doncic declared for the NBA draft in 2018, joining the Dallas Mavericks and promptly winning the Rookie of the Year award. Not only is Luka one of the hottest prospects in the league, but he's also an integral part of his national team and made his debut for Slovenia at the age of 17. Talk about wonderkid! Away from the court, Doncic is dating Slovenian model Anamaria Goltes.
The two are actually childhood friends, but they didn't start dating until 2016. Following a brief break in 2018, the cute couple got back together and there have recently been rumors of wedding bells...
Joe Ingles and Renae Ingles
Joe Ingles had an interesting route to the NBA, playing for the Australian team South Dragons before heading to Europe, where he spent time with Granada, Barcelona, and Tel Aviv, before being picked up by the Utah Jazz in 2014. In Utah, he's made the small forward position his own and is now the franchise's all-time leader in 3 pointers made. In his personal life, Joe is married to Australian netballer, Renae Ingles.
The couple spent a long time in a long-distance relationship while Joe was plying his trade in Europe, but they stayed faithful to each other and they tied the knot in 2015, before welcoming baby twins a year later.
Trae Young and Shelby Miller
Rising star Trae Young played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners before being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA draft with the fifth pick overall. "Ice Trae" was subsequently traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where his performances saw him selected to the 2019 NBA All-Rookie First Team. Trae met his girlfriend, Shelby Miller, at the University of Oklahoma, where she was a star cheerleader for the Sooners.
While she's not cheering on her partner from courtside, Shelby is still very much into her health and fitness lifestyle, and regularly shares envy-inducing posts on her Instagram page!
Al Horford and Amelia Vega
Five-time NBA All-Star Al Horford was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks and became a mainstay on the team, before signing with the Celtics as a free agent in 2016. The 6ft 9in superstar is officially the highest-paid Latin American basketball player. At home, the Dominican power forward is married to a fellow Dominican star — Miss Universe 2003, Amelia Vega.
Vega is a woman of many talents — she's an actress, writer, singer, and, of course, an accomplished model. In fact, the 6ft 2in beauty was the first-ever Miss Universe from the Dominican Republic. Al and Amelia married in 2011 and have 3 children together.
Landry Fields and Elaine Alden Fields
Former NBA shooting guard Landry Fields has enjoyed a meteoric rise in coaching since injury brought his playing career to an end. Fields spent three seasons as a college scout before and currently occupies the role of assistant general manager with the Atlanta Hawks. It was during his two seasons playing in New York for the Knicks that Landry met his wife, and mother of their three children, Elaine Alden Fields.
Elaine is a model and was working in the Big Apple at the time. As the story goes, the two were at a concert when they locked eyes through a crowd... Cheesy? Sure, but we love it!
Fred VanVleet and Shontai Neal
Fred VanVleet played college basketball for Wichita State University before going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. The point guard was eventually picked up by the Toronto Raptors, who clearly saw something in the Illinois native that other teams couldn't, and VanVleet went on to become a key player for the Raptors, winning an NBA championship with the team in 2019. Fred and his girlfriend Shontai Neal are high school sweethearts.
While the two aren't yet married, they celebrated the birth of their first daughter in 2018 and welcomed a baby boy the following year.