NBA Players Who Married Celebrities Even More Famous Than Themselves

Basketball is one of the most-watched sports in the United States, making many of the NBA players known among fans. Here are some of the court stars who dated celebrities.

Over the years, NBA players have bagged the creme de la creme of the entertainment industry as their partners. While some have lasted the long haul, many of them have fizzled out due to society's pressure.

From Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert to Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson, here are 15 NBA players that have dated celebrities way more famous than them.

SASHA VUJACIC AND MARIA SHARAPOVA

What says love better than a union of sports lovers. Sasha Vujacic is a professional basketball player hailing from Slovenia and currently part of the New York Knicks’ roster.

He first became famous when he originated as a first-round draft pick for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. He has since made a name for himself in the industry, playing both locally and internationally.

He met the iconic Grand Slam tennis star, Maria Sharapova, at a friend’s barbecue in 2009, and the pair immediately kicked things off and began dating. Unfortunately, their love for sports wasn’t enough to make them last forever, as they called things off two years after a rumored engagement.

RICK FOX AND VANESSA WILLIAMS

It was a union of beauty when the former Miss America met the basketball player. Vanessa first gained prominence when she became the first African-American to bag the title Miss America in 1984.

In 1999, she and basketball player, Rick Fox, fled to the Caribbean to be together. A year later, they welcomed a beautiful daughter.

Sadly, they divorced in 2004 as a result of cheating allegations from both parties. That was also the same year that Rick retired from professional basketball.

CARMELO AND LA LA ANTHONY

These are some of the iconic couples of the basketball industry. La La Vasquez is a television personality and actress who became famous at the age of 15. While in high school, she had a show of her own alongside rapper Ludacris.

In 2001, she joined the MTV network family and rose to become one of their most talented producers. She later left and began working with boxer Mike Tyson on his documentary, “Tyson.”

It was around that time she met basketball player Carmelo Anthony, who was, at the time, playing for the Denver Nuggets. On December 25, 2004, the pair became engaged and eventually tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony six years later. Their life chronicles on La La’s show titled “Full Court Life.”

SERGE IBAKA AND KERI HILSON

The singer, actress, and record producer began dating the Congolese-Spanish basketball star player in 2012. Keri became famous at the age of 14 when she bagged her first record deal.

She has gone on to write songs for A-listers, including Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige. Sadly, her relationship was not as successful as her career as she and Serge broke up in 2016 after four years.

IMAN SHUMPERT AND TEYANA TAYLOR

Teyana began her journey as a singer when she signed to Pharrell Williams’ record label in 2007. In 2012 she joined Kanye West’s GOOD Music label and gained popularity when she featured in his music video “Fade.”

Teyana has been private about her relationship with basketballer Iman Shumpert as news about them only came to light when they got married.

In 2015, they welcomed their first child through a home birth, and Shumpert delivered the child with his bare hands. Iman is currently playing for the Houston Rockets as a shooting guard.

NICK YOUNG AND IGGY AZALEA

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea gained worldwide fame for her YouTube videos and later debuted her first studio album, “The New Classic,” which reached the top of the Billboard charts, making her the first non-American female to achieve such a feat.

Before the release of that album, she began dating Los Angeles Lakers star, Nick Young. The pair moved in together in California and announced their engagement in 2015. Unfortunately, they called it quits after a year when Iggy exposed footage of Young bringing another woman to their home.

TRISTAN THOMPSON AND KHLOE KARDASHIAN

No one probably heard of Tristan Thompson before his relationship with the “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” star, Khloe Kardashian.

Tristan, a Canadian born athlete, played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He and Khloe began their romantic relationship in 2017 and welcomed a daughter named True. Their relationship has been plagued with several cheating rumors, with the latest being that of Tristan and Kylie’s BFF, Jordyn Woods.

AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE AND CIARA

Although the iconic singer is currently married to American football quarterback Russell Wilson, Ciara has had her fair share of other relationships.

One of which includes American-Israeli professional basketballer Amar’e Stoudemire. Ciara and Stoudemire became an item in 2011, with details of their relationship being kept private. Unfortunately, they didn't last the long haul because the singer caught him cheating.

RIHANNA AND J.R. SMITH

While many might not know this, the Barbados queen of music dated the Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard back in 2012.

Rumors of their relationship first surfaced when they were seen holding hands and getting cozy during an outing. Sadly, their relationship fizzled out, and many suggested Smith’s cocky behavior was the reason behind it.

CHRIS WEBBER AND TYRA BANKS

The notable model was once involved with basketballer Chris Webber for two years between 2002 and 2004. During their time together, Tyra was often seen sitting courtside at the Sacramento Kings games; Chris was playing for the team at that time.

Rumors of their engagement began swirling around, but it was soon debunked when she stopped coming to the games.

GABRIELLE UNION AND DWYANE WADE

The iconic actress has had her fair share with athletes as she was previously married to NFL player Chris Howard. In high school, she dated NBA Player Jason Kidd, but with all the relationships she’s had with athletes, the only one that has stood the test of time was with Dwyane Wade.

The two began dating in 2009 and tied the knot in an intimate ceremony five years later. After several years of infertility problems and several miscarriages, the couple finally welcomed their daughter last year via surrogacy, Kaavia James.

EVA LONGORIA AND TONY PARKER

Eva Longoria is a prominent actress who rose to fame for her role in the series “Desperate Housewives.” In 2004, she met San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker and instantly fell in love. In less than three years, they were happily married.

The two were having a rest time until Longoria stumbled upon hundreds of text messages from other women on her husband’s phone, leading to their divorce in January 2010. Eventually, Eva found love in the arms of media mogul Jose Baston, and they have been married for almost three years

MARKO JARIC AND ADRIANA LIMA

The Brazilian model and actress Adriana Lima dated shooting guard Marko Jaric. The Serbian NBA player and Adriana tied the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony on Valentine's Day in 2009.

Unfortunately, they separated after five years together, and their divorce was finalized in 2016. During their union, they welcomed two beautiful daughters.

LAMAR ODOM AND KHLOE KARDASHIAN

If there is any female celebrity with a long dip in the pool of NBA players, it sure is Khloe Kardashian. The reality star tied the knot with her ex-husband, Lamar Odom, after a month of dating. He featured in the family’s reality show ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ before they had their spinoff series.

Sadly, the show ended after two seasons, approximately the same time they began having problems in their marriage. Odom was arrested severally for DUI and was addicted to drugs. Khloe couldn’t take it anymore, so the pair separated. Their divorce was finalized in December 2016.

KRIS HUMPHRIES AND KIM KARDASHIAN

This list would not be complete without Kim Kardashian’s short-lived marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries. The pair began dating in October 2010 and got engaged in May 2011.

Two months later, they tied the knot in an extravagant wedding that reportedly cost $10 million. Sadly, all that couldn’t keep them together as they separated just after 72 days together.

It is not sure if their union was genuine or a publicity stunt; regardless, we would never forget it. While marriage is hardly a factor in your career, it seems basketballers have difficulty sustaining their relationship with famous women.

If you are a basketball fan, let us know which of these couples had you feeling some type of way. Also, remember to share with your friends.