Christian Wood lost more than just an NBA opportunity in 2015—his ex-girlfriend broke up with him that night, too.
Highlights
- The disappointment of going undrafted and losing his ex-girlfriend served as a wake-up call for Wood, leading him to mature and work harder to establish himself in the NBA.
- Years later, Wood became entangled in a legal battle with ex-girlfriend Yasmine Lopez over custody of their son.
- Despite personal setbacks and legal challenges, Wood remains focused on his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers
Born on September 27, 1995, in Long Beach, California, Wood emerged as a professional basketball player who played for multiple teams before finding his stride.
Undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, he started his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, spending time in the G League.
Wood’s early career was marked by uncertainty, moving between teams like the Delaware 87ers, Charlotte Hornets, and Milwaukee Bucks.
His breakthrough came with the Detroit Pistons in 2019-20, where he finally secured consistent playing time.
This opportunity transformed his career trajectory, leading to a lucrative three-year contract with the Houston Rockets and subsequent successful stints with the Dallas Mavericks and now the Los Angeles Lakers.
Christian Wood’s Ex-Girlfriend Left Him After 2015 Draft Snub
The 2015 NBA draft was a pivotal moment in Wood’s personal and professional life.
Projected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick, Wood instead went undrafted, a devastating blow that extended beyond his professional aspirations.
That same night, he experienced another significant personal loss – his girlfriend at the time broke up with him. Wood recalls the painful moment with raw honesty:
“I lost my girlfriend that night, too. I dropped her off at the airport after the draft and never saw her again.”
Sportskeeda
This is about the saddest picture from an NBA Draft you'll ever see — Christian Wood realizing he's going undrafted. pic.twitter.com/be7ttxLBuT
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) June 26, 2015
This rejection seemed to be a turning point for Wood.
He candidly admitted to having an immature perspective early in his career, believing his talent alone would guarantee success. He explained,
“When I was younger, it was just that I thought I was more talented than everybody.”
Sportskeeda
The breakup and draft disappointment became catalysts for self-reflection and personal growth.
Christian Wood’s Complex Relationship with Yasmine Lopez
Wood’s more recent romantic relationship with ex-girlfriend Yasmine Lopez presents a dramatically different story– one entangled with legal disputes and custody battles.
Their relationship, in which they gave birth to a son named Kobe Sean, deteriorated into a series of serious allegations and court proceedings.
In early 2024, Lopez accused Wood of domestic violence, claiming he dragged her across the floor in front of their then 10-month-old son.
Wood vehemently denied these allegations through his attorney, Holly J. Moore, who described the claims as “completely false and retaliatory in nature.”
The allegations made by Ms. Lopez against my client, Christian Wood, are completely false and retaliatory in nature. My client was awarded sole legal and sole physical custody of the parties’ minor child by the court last Tuesday for a reason. Ms. Lopez is lashing out at the court’s decision by making sudden outrageous claims against my client, which we are prepared to rigorously defend with substantial evidence.
Essentiallysports
The legal battle escalated, with Wood obtaining a temporary restraining order against Lopez.
Court documents reveal a tumultuous history, with Wood alleging multiple instances of property damage and harassment.
He claimed Lopez vandalized his vehicles, trespassed on his property, and created significant emotional and financial strain.
The situation with their son Kobe became particularly contentious.
Wood reported difficulties in accessing his child, including an incident where Lopez allegedly refused to hand over their son at a friend’s house.
This situation became so severe that police had to intervene to prevent potential involvement from child protective services.
As of early 2024, Wood maintained sole custody of Kobe Sean, with a three-year restraining order in place against Lopez.
While both parents initially showed they could cooperate for their son’s sake during his first birthday celebration, the relationship has devolved into a complex legal matter with ongoing implications for all parties involved.
The situation is still unfolding as both manage co-parenting challenges while living separate lives.
Wood focuses on his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers while assuming his role as primary caregiver to their son.
Additional Information
- Before settling at Findlay Prep for his senior year, Wood attended two other high schools – Los Alamitos High School initially, followed by Knight High School in Palmdale, California.
- During his breakthrough season with the Dallas Mavericks, Wood made franchise history by becoming the first player to score at least 25 points in each of his first two games with the team.
- On Christmas Day 2022, Wood had an exceptional performance in his first-ever Christmas game, putting up impressive numbers against the Los Angeles Lakers, leading to a 124-115 victory.
