Darvin Demonte Ham Sr., the American professional basketball coach and former player currently serving as the top assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA, has maintained an undefeated record in the NBA Cup, with a perfect 12-0 record.
Highlights
- Darvin Ham is married to Deneitra Ham, the mother of two of his three sons.
- Deneitra is an educator and a philanthropist.
- The two likely met through shared connections at Texas Tech, where they both went.
- All three of Darvin’s sons have pursued basketball in various capacities.
Previously, he coached for the Albuquerque Thunderbirds and the New Mexico Thunderbirds in the NBA Development Leagues and had stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks in the NBA.
List of NBA coaches who are undefeated in the NBA Cup:
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) December 11, 2024
1. Darvin Ham
End of list. We are witnesses🙌 pic.twitter.com/ljQEbMBb6G
As Darvin continues to make headlines for his role with the Bucks, which he rejoined in July 2024 after leaving in 2022, many people are curious to know more about the 51-year-old, particularly his personal life with his wife Deneitra Ham and his three children.
Deneitra Ham Also Went To Texas Tech University
Darvin Ham is married to Deneitra Ham, his wife of 26 years and the mother of two of his three children.
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Deneitra attended Lincoln Humanities/Communications Magnet High School and later studied at Lamar University.
She is also a 2003 graduate of Texas Tech University, where Darvin was a star basketball player from 1993 to 1996.
Deneitra and Darvin likely met through their shared connections at Texas Tech.
The couple have been together since the mid-1990s. They married on February 7, 1998.
They have two sons together, Donovan and Dominic. Darvin’s oldest son, Darvin Ham Jr., is from a previous relationship.
Darvin’s Eldest Was Born When He Was Still In High School
Darvin Ham Jr. was born in 1992 when his father was still in high school, which consequently pressured him to make something of his career.
In a 2011 interview, Darvin Ham Sr. said,
I was playing basketball and trying to succeed for a whole different reason than most. I had to feed my kid. I wasn’t worried about the spoils of basketball.
nba.com
Playing basketball afforded me a scholarship, which afforded me the chance to get educated and the chance to eventually get to play in the NBA.
All Three Sons Have Pursued Basketball At Various Levels
Following in his father’s footsteps, Darvin Ham Jr. currently serves as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ assistant video coordinator/player development coach.
He previously coached basketball for the Cleveland Charge, Northwood University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Arthur Hill High School.
He graduated from Northwood University in 2014 with a bachelor’s in business administration and sports and entertainment marketing and promotion.
Darvin Jr. is now a father of three.
Donovan Ham, born on January 3, 1997, attended North Atlanta High School and Georgia Highlands before playing basketball at Mississippi College.
He majored in business administration and averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.
The youngest son, Dominic Ham, born on January 24, 2000, plays collegiate basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Currently a senior, the 6′ 5″, 195 lbs guard averaged 3.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in the 2023-24 season.
Continue to be blessed by being acknowledged by APS and receiving the Golden Helmet Award ‼️@NAWarriors @beastelitesport @apsupdate #B4L #blessed pic.twitter.com/nsHttiM5Nb
— Dominic D. Ham (@DominicHam4) April 25, 2018
Deneitra And Darvin Are Philanthropists
Donovan and Dominic’s mother, Deneitra Ham, is an educator and philanthropist.
She is involved in charitable work via the Urban Youth Development organization, which she co-founded with her husband in 2003.
Urban Youth Development offers various programs, including educational workshops, sports activities, mentorship, and community service projects.
These programs are designed to help young people build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of responsibility.
Darvin’s Struggles With PTSD Have Occasionally Strained His Marriage
In 1988, when Darvin was 14 years old, he survived a stray gunshot wound to his face and neck.
Although he survived the incident and the dangerous streets of Saginaw, it left him with PTSD.
Darvin Ham has been open about his struggles with PTSD and the impact it has had on his marriage.
In 2002, Ham was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence-battery, but no charges were filed.
In 2005, Deneitra Ham was sentenced to a year’s probation after hitting Darvin on the head with a wine bottle.
She pleaded guilty to domestic violence and was also sentenced to an anger management program and community service.
Ham has shared that therapy helped him understand how PTSD from his childhood was affecting his marriage, and he has worked on improving his relationship with Deneitra.
Additional Information
- In addition to his NBA career, Ham also played internationally. He had brief stints in Spain with CB Granada and in the Philippines with Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals.
- Ham won the NCAA slam dunk contest in 1996, following his college teammate Lance Hughes, who won it in 1995.
- Darvin Ham gained national attention during the 1996 NCAA Tournament when he shattered a backboard with a powerful dunk while playing for Texas Tech.
