Winning games is one thing; navigating love while both partners compete at the highest level is quite another. When stars from the NBA and WNBA pair up, they form relationships built on mutual understanding of long seasons, fame, and the day-to-day grind of professional basketball.
Want to meet the couples who blend elite hoops careers with headline-making romances? Read on for the stories behind these on- and off-court partnerships. Also read
Jaylen Brown and Kysre Gondrezick: Reported Pairing
Jaylen Brown, a small forward for the Boston Celtics, and Kysre Gondrezick, who has taken the court at guard for WNBA clubs including the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, have been the subject of recent speculation after several public sightings together.
Their connection first drew attention during the Celtics’ victory parade when the two were seen getting cozy, and interest ratcheted up after Brown referred to Gondrezick as his “beautiful date” at the ESPY, according to the New York Post. The comment prompted plenty of chatter from fans and media alike.
On August 21, 2024, the duo shared a series of personal images on Instagram that captured moments from their offseason time together, leaving many to wonder if they’re emerging as a notable NBA–WNBA couple.
Bam Adebayo and A’Ja Wilson: Rumors and Reactions
Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo and WNBA standout A’Ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces have drawn headlines since crossing paths at Team USA’s training camp in Las Vegas. Talk intensified when both players contributed to Team USA’s gold-medal run at the Paris Olympics.
Local attention only added fuel to the chatter. At a ceremony honoring area Olympians, Miami-Dade County’s mayor highlighted Wilson being in attendance and playfully suggested that her gold medal might have something to do with Bam and the Heat — a lighthearted quip that got everyone talking.
Their respective teams joined the banter online. When Wilson rewrote the WNBA scoring record, the Aces X (formerly Twitter) cheekily posted, “𝐁𝐀𝐌! THERE IT IS. @_ajawilson22 has the single greatest scoring season in @WNBA history!” And after she earned a third WNBA MVP, the Miami Heat’s social account even poked fun with a light post: “A’random photo of Bam on this lovely Sunday” — proof that folks on both sides are enjoying the speculation.
All of these knowing nods and playful jabs have fans waiting. For now, people are hoping for an official confirmation — or, who knows, maybe wedding invitations will show up sooner than expected.
Shelden Williams and Candace Parker: marriage, separation and family life
Candace Parker, who starred at the University of Tennessee and later played for the Las Vegas Aces, married fellow professional basketball player Shelden Williams—who had stints in the NBA with teams including the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings—in 2008. The pair welcomed a daughter, Lailaa Nicole, during their time together.
The relationship ended years later: in 2016, Williams filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences,” after the couple had been living apart for a period, according to Bleacher Report. Despite the split, they have worked out shared custody to co-parent Lailaa.
After the divorce, Candace Parker later entered a relationship with Russian pro player Anna Petrakova; the two married in 2019 and are raising their family together, alongside Candace’s daughter Lailaa.
Kevin Durant and Monica Wright — the engagement that ended
Monica Wright, who made her mark with the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA, and Kevin Durant, an NBA star currently with the Phoenix Suns, looked as if they might marry after a short courtship. The pair became engaged in the summer of 2013 after dating for just a few months, but Monica unexpectedly called off the engagement the following year, in 2014.
Durant later talked about the proposal in a GQ interview, saying the decision came on impulsive instinct during a relaxed night out. He explained that he felt compelled to act in the moment, proposed, and afterward realized they may have rushed into it despite his feelings. He said,
We was just hanging out, chilling. And I felt the energy. I felt, I need to do this right now. And I just did it. I was like…We’re engaged right now? We’re about to get married? So I was just like, cool! I love this girl. But I didn’t love her the right way.
Since then, Monica has moved forward and is married to Michael Rogers, finding happiness away from the basketball spotlight. Durant, as of now, is not publicly connected to anyone romantically.
Damon Jones and Tina Thompson — their relationship and family
Damon Darron Jones, best known for his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Tina Marie Thompson, a celebrated figure in women’s basketball who earned four consecutive WNBA championships, were together in the mid-2000s. The pair welcomed a son, Dyllan Thompson-Jones, in May 2005. Their relationship, however, eventually came to an end.
Balancing the demands of motherhood with a high-level playing career, Thompson continued to excel on the court as a single parent and remained active in professional basketball until her retirement in 2013.
Devin Cannady & Katie Lou Samuelson: Engagement, Wedding and Parenthood
Katie Lou Samuelson and Devin Cannady announced their engagement on February 4, 2022, and went on to exchange vows on April 22, 2023.
During wedding preparations, they were also expecting their first child, so Katie Lou stepped away from the 2023 season. Their daughter, Aliya, was born on August 4. Katie Lou has since returned to play for the Indiana Fever, while Devin has been showing his talents with the New York Knicks in the NBA Summer League, juggling new-parent life alongside their professional commitments.
Curtis Borchardt and Susan King-Borchardt — A Basketball Partnership
Susan King and Curtis Borchardt both enjoyed careers as professional basketball players and built a life together after meeting during their playing days. Curtis went on to play in the NBA, including stints with the Utah Jazz and the Boston Celtics, while Susan suited up for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA.
Their first meeting happened in the training room at Stanford University, where both were rehabbing injuries — Curtis with a foot problem and Susan with a knee issue. The shared experience of recovery brought them close, and they became engaged within six months before marrying in August 2003.
They are recognized as the first married couple to have each played in the NBA and the WNBA. The pair are parents to four children — Finley, Avery, Flory, and Franci — and both work at The Athlete Blueprint.
