NBA Stars and the Kardashian Connection: 15 Players Who Dated the Famous Family and How It Changed Their Lives Forever
Caught in Kardashian Chaos: NBA Stars and Hollywood’s Most Famous Family
From Khloe Kardashian’s wild roller coaster with Lamar Odom to Kim’s infamous 72-day marriage with Kris Humphries, the Kardashian sisters have a knack for turning NBA love stories into headline-grabbing drama. When the Kardashians date hoopers, it’s never simple. Here are the NBA players who found themselves swept up in the Kardashian whirlwind.
.
.
.
Lamar Odom: Love, Loss, and Redemption
Lamar Odom’s relationship with Khloe Kardashian was the stuff of reality TV legend. The Lakers forward met Khloe at a party in August 2009, and within a month, they were married. Unlike many TV romances, their bond seemed authentic. Odom, who’d faced deep personal tragedies—including his mother’s death and the loss of his infant son—found stability in Khloe.
Their lives were documented on “Khloe & Lamar,” giving viewers a genuine glimpse into their shared humor and affection. But beneath the surface, Odom battled substance abuse, using it as a coping mechanism for pain and stress. In 2013, Khloe filed for divorce, citing his addiction and infidelity. Despite the heartbreak, their love lingered; when Odom nearly died from an overdose in 2015, Khloe paused the divorce to support his recovery. Their divorce was finalized in 2016, but both continued to speak respectfully about their shared journey.
Tristan Thompson: Scandal and Second Chances
Tristan Thompson’s romance with Khloe started in 2016, offering hope after her traumatic split with Odom. The couple welcomed daughter True in 2018, fulfilling Khloe’s dream of motherhood. But days before True’s birth, allegations of Thompson’s infidelity surfaced, turning joy into public humiliation.
Khloe stayed, hoping to preserve their family, but a second betrayal—Thompson’s involvement with Jordyn Woods, Kylie Jenner’s best friend—proved too much. They split in 2021, yet surprisingly had a second child together via surrogate in 2022.
Kris Humphries: The 72-Day Marriage
Kris Humphries’ whirlwind romance with Kim Kardashian became the gold standard for celebrity relationship drama. After dating in 2010, the Brooklyn Nets forward proposed in May 2011 with a 20.5-carat ring. Their lavish wedding was televised, but beneath the glitz, fundamental differences surfaced. Kim thrived on media attention; Humphries was overwhelmed by the manufactured drama.
Just 72 days later, Kim filed for divorce, sparking speculation that the marriage was just for ratings. Humphries contested the divorce, seeking an annulment on grounds of fraud. The legal battle dragged on for nearly two years.
Kendall Jenner’s NBA Roster: Glamour and Breakups
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin and Kendall Jenner were LA’s photogenic power couple in 2017. Their romance featured courtside dates and Hollywood vacations but ended when Griffin was traded to Detroit, unable to survive the demands of long-distance and celebrity schedules.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons and Kendall Jenner’s relationship embodied the challenges of young love in the social media age. Both were rising stars, juggling demanding careers and public scrutiny. Their romance was marked by vacations and double dates but fizzled out in 2019 after several reconciliations.
Devin Booker
Devin Booker and Kendall Jenner’s two-year relationship from 2020 to 2022 was the most mature of Kendall’s NBA romances. The pandemic allowed them privacy, and their bond seemed strong as Kendall supported Booker during his run to the NBA Finals. Busy schedules led to their split in late 2022.
Rashad McCants
Before the headline-grabbing relationships, Khloe dated Rashad McCants in 2009. Their brief romance was featured on reality TV, with McCants later claiming the drama was scripted and hurt his NBA career—fueling the legend of the “Kardashian Curse.”
James Harden
James Harden’s relationship with Khloe Kardashian (2015-2016) was a collision of two strong personalities. The Houston Rockets star struggled with the intense scrutiny and constant drama, leading to a quiet breakup after months of public appearances and mutual accusations.
Rick Fox
Rick Fox’s rumored connection with Khloe in 2015 was short-lived and never officially confirmed. Fox, already established in his post-basketball acting career, quickly clarified they were just friends, highlighting how even rumors of Kardashian romance can spark overwhelming speculation.
Chandler Parsons
Chandler Parsons and Kendall Jenner were linked from 2014 to 2017, never confirming their relationship but frequently spotted together. Parsons leveraged the attention for social media visibility, maintaining ambiguity and avoiding the pitfalls of official Kardashian boyfriend status.
Jordan Clarkson
Jordan Clarkson’s brief romance with Kendall in 2016 was thrust into the spotlight at Coachella. Family disapproval and media pressure ended the relationship quickly, showing how fame and scrutiny can be too much for young couples.
Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma was rumored to be linked to Kendall via viral TikTok posts, despite no concrete evidence. The episode highlights how social media can create persistent rumors with little basis in fact.
D’Angelo Russell
D’Angelo Russell and Kendall Jenner were rumored to be dating in 2015 simply because she attended Lakers games. Both clarified they were just friends, but the speculation demonstrated how even platonic relationships can be misinterpreted in the celebrity spotlight.
The Kardashian Effect
For NBA players, dating a Kardashian means stepping into a world where every move is scrutinized, every relationship milestone is headline news, and even rumors can impact careers. From whirlwind romances to lasting friendships, these stories show that when basketball meets Hollywood’s most famous family, chaos is never far behind.
