“Don’t Be…Deadbeat Dad”: ‘Blindfolded’ by Ironclad Beliefs, Unfazed Gilbert Arenas Aimed to Emulate His Father

For Gilbert Arenas, reliving his pro-basketball days is a possibility through his prodigious son with ex, Laura Govan. The 3x NBA All-Star has had some drama with Govan since their bitter split. She’d go on to star on Basketball Wives: LA and they’d both spend the subsequent years taking public jabs at each other. One thing they call a truce on is their children, including the next big thing on the court, Alijah Arenas.

Agent Zero got candid about his flaws and fatherhood in an interview with Andscape. And it was deep! Arenas revealed details about his relationship with Govan and raising their children.

Gilbert Arenas on decisions he made as a father

Andscape probed Gilbert Arenas in-depth recently from his career to his son’s. The retired NBA pro was a three-time NBA All-Star during his time in the league from 2001 to 2012. During that time, he’d have off-the-court issues like relationship troubles with reality star, Laura Govan. Despite issues between them, being there for their kids remained their priority.

Arenas and Govan began dating when he debuted with the Golden State Warriors and she was working in the Sacramento Kings PR department. They were together till 2014 and were engaged but never married. They’re parents of four children – Aloni, Alijah, Izela, and Hamiley.

Among them, Alijah has been attracting attention for his talent on the court. At only 15, he’s projected as the top draft prospect for the NBA. Alijah was born when his parents’ relationship wasn’t the best. But Agent Zero was eager to be a dad.

He told Andscape about his own father, Gilbert Arenas Sr., who did everything possible to give his son a better life. Something out of a movie like Pursuit of Happyness, the older Arenas worked to the bone to provide for his son. In this interview, Arenas would recall the heartrending moment his father tried to hide his tears from him.

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Gilbert Sr. was his son’s role model as a father. Despite all his troubles, the former NBA star always strived to be like him for all his kids. When asked why Arenas had a second child, Alijah, with Govan despite their strained relationship, his answer was his father. “I just had this thought of not being a typical absentee father. Don’t be this single dude or deadbeat dad. I wanted to be my Dad. Just make it work and be a family man. I tried to force being a family.”

It’s a harsh truth to admit he tried to make a failing relationship work through his children. But Arenas is known to speak his truth. Even if it’s about his own name.

Gilbert Arenas named a future superstar

Gilbert Arenas might not agree with Shakespeare, who asked, “What’s in a name?” He outrightly said he doesn’t like the name, Gilbert, which he shares with his father. “It’s not a superstar’s name.”

Nevertheless, Alijah is now hyped as a prodigy in the media. He’s so good, the NBA veteran has to cheat to get a shot over his son. They have a typical father-son relationship too, where Arenas can’t trust him with his expensive car.

He picked his second child’s first name, and Govan picked the middle name. He wanted the initials to be “AAA.” The name, Alijah Amani Arenas, was not picked for any particular meaning. But the young athlete has the potential to make his name great. Gilbert Arenas would definitely be the proudest father then.

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