The world of professional basketball comes with plenty of attention, and NBA players often find themselves in the spotlight both on and off the court. Alongside the fame, demanding schedules, and high-profile careers, many basketball stars have shared their lives with women who have built successful careers of their own.
These women have made their mark in entertainment, modeling, business, television, beauty, and other fields. Some became famous through their relationships with NBA players, while others were already established names in their own right. Their relationships have also attracted plenty of public interest over the years.
From actresses and models to entrepreneurs and former beauty queens, there is no shortage of fascinating personalities connected to the NBA. Here is a look back at 10 notable NBA WAGs who captured attention during the era covered by this original list.
10. Kendra Shaw
Kendra Shaw was known publicly for her relationship with NBA star Julius Randle during the early stages of his professional career. Randle entered the NBA after being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2014, quickly becoming one of the league's promising young forwards.
Shaw attracted attention in her own right through her interest in fashion and beauty. She also had a background in pageantry and maintained a social media following where she shared glimpses of her lifestyle and interests.
Her relationship with Randle was closely followed by basketball fans as he worked through the challenges of establishing himself in the NBA.
9. Tina Wiseman
Chris Andersen, widely known by his nickname "Birdman," built a reputation as one of the NBA's most recognizable personalities. His colorful style and distinctive tattoos made him instantly recognizable on the court.
During the period covered by this original article, Andersen was in a relationship with Tina Wiseman. The couple attracted attention from fans and entertainment media, while Wiseman also developed a following through her modeling and social media presence.
With her dark hair and distinctive style, Wiseman became one of the more recognizable personalities associated with an NBA player during that period.
8. Cody Horn
Cody Horn had an impressive entertainment background long before she became known for her relationship with NBA star Kevin Love. Her mother, Cindy Lou Horn, worked in modeling and acting, while her father, Alan F. Horn, became a prominent entertainment executive.
Horn pursued acting herself and appeared in a number of television programs and films. Her credits included appearances in The Office and Rescue Me, along with movie roles that helped establish her career in Hollywood.
During the period discussed in this original list, Horn and Kevin Love were dating while both maintained busy professional schedules. Her combination of acting work and connection to the NBA made her a familiar name among sports and entertainment fans.
7. Michelle Game
Charlie Villanueva spent more than a decade playing professional basketball and represented several NBA teams during his career. During the period featured in this article, he was engaged to Michelle Game.
Game built her own profile through modeling, social media, and brand partnerships. Her striking appearance helped her attract a substantial online audience, while her work included promotional opportunities and appearances connected to the entertainment industry.
Her relationship with Villanueva placed her firmly in the world of NBA celebrity culture, but her modeling and social media activities also helped establish an identity beyond basketball.
6. Elaine Alden
Elaine Alden was known for her modeling career and her relationship with former NBA player Landry Fields. During the period covered by the original article, the couple were building their family together.
Alden had appeared in magazines, commercials, and beauty pageants, developing a career in front of the camera. Her public profile grew further through her relationship with Fields and her presence on social media.
Her story was a reminder that many NBA partners have careers and ambitions of their own outside the basketball world.
5. Amelia Vega
Amelia Vega stands out as one of the most accomplished women on this list. The Dominican model and former beauty queen won the Miss Universe title in 2003, becoming internationally recognized long before her marriage to NBA star Al Horford.
Vega and Horford began dating in 2008 and married in December 2011. Their relationship brought together the worlds of international pageantry and professional basketball.
Beyond her connection to the NBA, Vega has maintained a career in modeling and entertainment. Her elegant style and international profile have made her a familiar face among basketball and fashion fans alike.
4. Meghan Allen
Meghan Allen became familiar to television audiences through reality shows including Fear Factor and Mamma's Boys. Her television appearances and modeling work helped her build a public profile of her own.
Allen later became associated with NBA guard Devin Harris. According to the story featured in the original article, the two first met while Harris and his teammates visited the establishment where she worked.
Her combination of television appearances, modeling, and connection to professional basketball made Allen one of the more recognizable NBA partners featured in this countdown.
3. Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union is much more than an NBA WAG. She is an accomplished actress whose career spans film, television, and numerous major entertainment projects.
Before marrying Dwyane Wade, Union had already established herself as a successful actress. She previously dated NBA legend Jason Kidd and had also been married to NFL player Chris Howard.
Union began dating Wade in 2009, and the couple married in 2014. Their relationship has remained one of the most recognizable celebrity partnerships connected to professional basketball.
While Wade built a legendary NBA career, Union continued expanding her own acting résumé. Her success and independence helped make her one of the most prominent women associated with an NBA superstar.
2. Ayesha Curry
Ayesha Curry became one of the most recognizable personalities associated with the NBA through her marriage to Stephen Curry. However, she has also developed a successful career that extends well beyond basketball.
Stephen Curry emerged as one of the NBA's biggest stars after entering the league in 2009 and helped lead the Golden State Warriors to an NBA championship in 2015. Ayesha was frequently seen supporting him while simultaneously building her own career.
Ayesha became particularly well known for her passion for cooking. She shared recipes and culinary ideas through television appearances, digital platforms, and her cookbook, The Seasoned Life.
Her entrepreneurial work, television appearances, cooking projects, and strong social media presence have made her a celebrity in her own right rather than simply being known as an NBA player's wife.
1. Masha Kirilenko
|
Masha Kirilenko earned the top spot in this original countdown because her story was unlike that of many other NBA partners. She was married to former NBA player Andrei Kirilenko, who enjoyed a successful career in professional basketball before moving into basketball administration.
Masha was known not only for her connection to the NBA but also for her education, charitable interests, and public profile. Her relationship with Andrei frequently attracted attention because of the unconventional approach the couple reportedly took toward their marriage.
During Andrei's playing career, Masha was regularly mentioned in stories surrounding the Russian basketball star. Her combination of personality, interests, and relationship with one of the NBA's recognizable international players made her an intriguing choice for the top position in this historical list.
Although the NBA landscape has changed dramatically since this article was originally published, these women remain part of the fascinating celebrity culture that has always surrounded professional basketball.
Which NBA WAG from this list do you remember best? Share your favorite in the comments.