Former basketball player Gilbert Arenas’ daughter, Izela Arenas, who is playing for the Louisville Cardinals, is making waves in the basketball world with her inherited athletic talents.
Her entire family, including her parents, who broke up several years ago, has come together to support and cheer her during games.
Highlights
- Gilbert Arenas dated Laura Govan from 2002 to 2014. The former couple had four children, Izela Semaya, Alijah, Hamiley, and Aloni Arenas.
- The ex-couple, who is co-parenting their three kids, occasionally attends their daughter’s games.
- Laura Govan denied marriage to the former NBA player while talking with Carlos King in October 2024.
Gilbert Arenas recently posted a message on Instagram after a game, wearing a Louisville jersey and joking about causing a scene in Colorado.
“Stand up Lou we are in Colorado trying to get kicked out 😂😂😂” He might have been referring to his loud cheering for his daughter, Izela.
On the other hand, Laura Govan and Izela enjoyed the win together, with Laura sharing a happy Instagram story of them smiling after the game.
While both Gilbert and Laura were present to support their daughter, it’s unknown if the former couple exchanged words at the event.
This is not the first time the former couple has come together to support their basketball player daughter.
Izela Arenas celebrated her senior night during an early February 2024 game for Sierra Canyon High School.
Her entire family, including her parents, Gilbert Arenas and Laura Govan, siblings, and grandparents attended the event.
At that time, Gilbert and Laura were seen together in a picture, which Govan shared on Instagram.
Though the ex-partners are co-parenting their four kids, the air between them is nowhere near warm.
Laura Govan Denied Marriage To Gilbert Arenas
The former Shanghai Sharks point guard dated Laura Govan for 12 years, from 2002 to 2014. There has been a misunderstanding that they were married.
Govan recently clarified that she was never married to Arenas, while talking with Carlos King in October 2024.
“We were never married… our relationship today is the same as it was 12 years ago. It’s actually gotten worse.”
Laura Govan
However, the mother of four acknowledged that Arenas is the father of all her children and asked for more hands-on involvement from him.
“Gilbert, play fair. I’ve always given you the title of fatherhood; I’ve never taken it away.”
Laura Govan
Govan went on to criticize her baby daddy’s priorities. She said instead of coaching their basketball-loving kids or investing in essential things like education, he spent money on extravagant gifts.
She pointed out that they didn’t need expensive chains and questioned why he wasn’t paying for their son’s school.
Laura mentioned that his $7,000 monthly support barely covered their actual needs.
Despite this, the drama was set aside as they watched their daughter dominate on the court.
They Had A Stormy Relationship For Over A Decade
Arenas first met Govan while he was playing for the Golden State Warriors. She was reportedly working as a coach for the team at a basketball camp.
Also, Govan worked with the Sacramento Kings’ public relations department.
They began dating shortly after their first meeting and got engaged in 2008. But they never made it to the altar and had a stormy relationship.
After a while, there was an allegation that Laura cheated on Gilbert with Shaquille O’Neal, another NBA player.
Govan strongly denied ever having a romantic relationship with O’Neal. In a 2011 interview, she humorously dismissed rumors, saying,
“Hell no! Have you seen his feet? How are you going to sleep with somebody who has feet like that? Like, I’ve seen him in his sandals. I love Shaquille to death, but I would never get down with Shaquille.”
In 2011, reports revealed that Gilbert had spent over $1 million on lavish items such as shark tanks and pools but refused to hire a nanny.
When Gilbert moved to Florida after being traded to the Orlando Magic, he allegedly told Laura, “You had them; you watch them.“
Their breakup was anything but peaceful. In 2016, Laura accused Gilbert of giving her an STD. The former athlete denied it and filed a defamation lawsuit.
The court found Laura had sent the email deliberately and ordered her to pay $110,110.
Shortly after, Laura accused Gilbert of having an affair with her sister, Gloria Govan. During her appearance in “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” she said,
“We started dating and it was great, and then I introduced him to my family and in a short period of time it went south, real fast. I believe that he shared a relationship with my sister.”
No one seemed to believe her story. Even Govan’s mother said to Iyanla Vanzant, “I don’t believe it.”
Both Gilbert and Gloria denied the accusation in June 2016, but it caused a significant rift between the sisters.
Additional Information
- According to Celebrity Net Worth, Gilbert Arenas has amassed a net worth of $10 million.
- He is currently dating French social media influencer Melli Monaco.
- He was ar-rest-ed on 27 June 2013 by LAPD for possessing illegal fireworks.
