Rob Dillingham’s Parents Donald Dillingham And Valaaulia “Lia” Tailele Claims No Prior Knowledge Of WME Contract

Rob Dillingham, an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA, and his parents have recently brought attention to a contract.

Donald Dillingham and Valaaulia “Lia” Tailele, parents of NBA star Rob Dillingham, didn’t know their son signed a contract with the sports agency WME when he was 17 in June 2022.

Furthermore, Donald said he was completely unaware of the agreement and later expressed concern that he was not involved in or informed about the process.

Rob’s father has since taken steps to invalidate the agreement, arguing that the minor should not make such significant decisions without proper parental oversight.

While his mother, Valaaulia, cosigned the WME contract and signed a guarantor agreement acknowledging her son’s minor status, Donald’s signature was missing.

Similarly, this has caused tension between Rob Dillingham and his parents, highlighting a lack of communication and coordination in handling their son’s NIL opportunities.

Rob’s experience further complicates the situation; despite securing a partnership with Naomi Osaka’s skincare brand, KINLO, in August 2022, Rob revealed he did not receive any NIL payments while attending Donda Academy.

Rob Dillingham’s Parents, Donald And Valaaulia Tailele Are Of Different Ethnic Groups!

Rob Dillingham was born on January 4, 2005, in Hickory, North Carolina, United States, to parents Donald and Valaaulia, of different ethnicities.

Moreover, his father, Donald Dillingham, is African-American, whereas his mother, Valaaulia “Lia” Tailele, is originally from Samoa.

His father, Donald, is part of the African diaspora and has ancestral roots in Africa. His mother, Valaaulia, is a native of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific and is part of the Polynesian ethnic group.

Similarly, Samoans are Austronesian people with roots tracing back thousands of years to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, distinct from African ancestry.

Rob Dillingham often posts pictures of his parents on social media, expressing his love and respect for them.

Donald and Valaaulia also often share their son’s achievements on social media, expressing their pride and love for him.

Rob’s mother, Valaaulia Tailele, worked as an inventory analyst at Shurtape Industrial and attended American Samoa Community College.

However, very little information about his father, Donald Dillingham, is available as he prefers to maintain a low life.

Rob Dillingham’s Older Brother, Denzel Dillingham, Is a Former Basketball Player!

Rob Dillingham is following in his brother Denzel Dillingham’s footsteps in basketball.

Denzel Salamo Dillingham, born on December 19, 1992, in Hickory, North Carolina, is a talented basketball player known for his skill and dedication.

Moreover, standing at 6’4” and weighing 195 pounds, Dillingham played as a guard throughout his collegiate career.

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A post shared by Denzel Dillingham (@denzeldillingham)

He first attended Hickory High School as a standout athlete, led his team to an impressive 78-9 record, and earned 2nd Team All-State honors.

Dillingham began his college basketball career at Lenoir-Rhyne University during the 2012-2013 season. He helped them achieve an 18-9 record and earned 1st Team All-Conference recognition.

Similarly, averaging 17.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, he delivered notable performances, including a career-best 34 points and eight rebounds against Brevard College.

He later transferred to Paine College, where he played from 2014 to 2016, continuing to showcase his leadership and abilities on the court.

Additional Information

• Rob Dillingham played basketball for Combine Academy in Lincolnton, North Carolina, and transferred to Donda Academy.
• He began his professional career with Cold Hearts in 2021 before joining the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves on June 26, 2024.
• Rob won the United States a gold medal at the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico.