NBA players who married celebrities

Behind every successful man, there’s a woman.

Even though a lot of these guys (current and former NBA players) honed their talent and found fame before meeting their lovely ladies, some of their wives were household names way before meeting their husbands. Their fame came from from their own merit as these women modeled, acted, or sang their way to stardom outside of their men.

You will often see these wives in the stands at games or in the sports pages, making them a huge part of the modern game and something that many fans take great interest in.

From A-list actresses to television personalities, to professional athletes, to famous models, we take this opportunity to look at the head-turning celebrity wives that have captivated the league’s top players and fans alike.

Honorable Mention:

Tristan Thompson and Khloe Kardashian

Tristan and Khloe got together in August 2016 and made their first appearance as a couple the next month.They have been in the spotlight ever since and Khloe is reportedly pregnant with Tristan’s child amid rumors of them being engaged.

Thompson is an NBA Champion with the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers and is a key member of the team's core. On the other hand, Khloe is an American television personality and a huge member of the reality television series with her family - "Keeping Up With The Kardashians".

#9 Jrue Holiday and Lauren Holiday

The New Orleans Pelicans combo guard married the United States women's national soccer team midfielder Lauren Cheney. The two first met at a UCLA women's basketball game during his only season at the school. At the time, both were in relationships with others, but became friends, and began dating after he was drafted by the Sixers. They later began hosting annual combo basketball and soccer clinics at UCLA.

In September 2016, Holiday took an indefinite leave from the Pelicans to take care of his wife, after she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The following month, Lauren had brain surgery only weeks after giving birth to the couple's first child, a daughter, named Jrue Tyler Holiday.

#8 Landry Fields and Elaine Alden

Elaine is an International model with features in FHM, Sports Illustrated, GQ, and MAXIM. The retired small forward and the model began dating in June 2012. The couple got engaged in February 2013 and have two sons - Jackson James Fields (born in 2013) and Kai David Fields (born in 2016). They were married in July 2014.

Landry field currently works as a college scout for the San Antonio Spurs.

#7 Shannon Brown and Monica Arnold

After meeting on Monica’s on the set of her music video, they started dating soon after. The free agent shooting guard and the singer began dating in June 2010 and were married in November 2010.

They were married in a secret ceremony in November 2010 but the marriage hadn't become public record until January 21, 2011, when Brown told the Hip-Hop Non-Stop TV-Show. They had a second wedding ceremony for family and friends in July 2011.The couple welcomed their first child together, daughter Laiyah Brown, on September 3, 2013.

#6 Grant Hill and Tamia

Tamia is a Canadian singer-songwriter, with a career spanning over two decades. She has earned six career Grammy nominations over her long illustrious career.

On the other hand, Grant Hill was touted as the next Michael Jordan early in his career but was forced to the status of a role player due to nagging injuries. He played on four teams in a career spanning 19 years - Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and the LA Clippers.

Tamia and Grant Hill started dating after being introduced by singer, Anita Baker in Detroit, Michigan. They got married on July 24, 1999. Their daughter, Myla Grace Hill was born on January 23, 2002. Their second daughter Lael Rose Hill was born August 9, 2007.

#5 David Lee and Carolina Wozniacki

Carolina is a Danish professional tennis player. She is a former world No. 1 on the WTA Tour. She has had a decorated career so far, having won 27 WTA singles titles.

Meanwhile, Lee is an NBA Champion (2015 - Golden State Warriors) and a 10-year veteran in the league, who is currently a free agent.

Wozniacki revealed on her social media accounts on Valentine's Day, that she was in a relationship with former NBA All-Star, and NBA champion David Lee. They got engaged on November 2, 2017

#4 Al Horford and Amelia Vega

Amelia Vega-Horford is a Dominican actress, singer and model. In her decorated career, she became the first Dominican woman to be named Miss Universe, in 2003; the youngest winner since 1994 at only 18 years, and is the tallest Miss Universe winner on record.

On December 24, 2011, Vega married NBA player Al Horford, currently playing for the Boston Celtics, after two years of dating. On February 23, 2015, Vega gave birth to their first child, a son named Ean Horford Vega. On November 27, 2016 they had a daughter Alía Horford Vega.

#3 Carmelo Anthony and La La Anthony

La La is a television personality, New York Times best-selling author, businesswoman, producer, and actress.

The Oklahoma City Thunder forward and the former MTV VJ began dating in 2004 and were married on July 10, 2010. The ceremony was filmed by VH1 and aired as part of a reality series on the couple, titled La La's Full Court Wedding. They have a son, Kiyan Carmelo Anthony, born on March 7, 2007.

In April 2017, Carmelo was publicly accused of having extramarital affairs with a woman from a gentleman's club. However, La La said that she and Carmelo are not officially divorcing.

#2 Iman Shumpert and Teyana Taylor

Iman Shumpert and Teyana Taylor

The Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard and the singer/actress have been together for four years now. Shumpert proposed on November 7, 2015, during their baby shower.

Their daughter, Iman "Junie" Tayla Shumpert Jr was born on December 16, 2015. Iman Shumpert delivered their baby with his bare hands at their home. Taylor revealed that they were secretly married, though that was false at the time; the couple didn’t actually wed until October 1, 2016.

#1 Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard and the actress began dating in July 2009. According to Wade, he and Union briefly split up at some point early in 2013 because of career demands. During that time, Wade fathered a son, Xavier, born in November 2013 with a long-time friend. Wade and Union reconciled later in the year.

Wade made headlines on November 1, 2013, when he gave Union a ring. At the time, it wasn't an engagement ring, but her own championship ring. On December 21, 2013, though, it was the real thing, as both Union and Wade announced their engagement on their respective social media accounts.

They got married on August 30, 2014, in Miami, Florida. Union is now the stepmother to Wade's sons.