Gilbert Arenas’ legacy goes beyond the court. Sure, fans remember him as the explosive guard who lit up the NBA for over a decade, but off the court, there’s another story brewing—one that’s got people just as curious. While Gilbert built his name with teams like the Warriors and Wizards, his personal life, especially around his son Alijah, is beginning to draw just as much attention. And naturally, everyone wants to know—who’s the woman behind the rising young star?

Now, while Gilbert’s been in the news lately thanks to his engagement to Melli Monaco, there’s been renewed interest in his past, too. More specifically, with Laura Govan. For years, Laura and Gilbert were one of LA’s biggest celebrity couples. And although things have moved on for both of them, the backstory of how Alijah’s mom first met his dad is something fans keep circling back to.

Who is Laura Govan?

Laura isn’t just someone who got famous for who she dated. Long before reality TV exploded, she carved out her own spotlight. She’s been part of shows like Basketball Wives LA and movies like Almost Amazing. She also made waves in the entrepreneur space. But more than all that, she’s the mother of Gilbert Arenas’ four kids—and that’s a role she’s never shied away from.

Back in 2001, when Gilbert was still breaking into the league with the Golden State Warriors, Laura was already in the mix, working PR for the Sacramento Kings. He was just 19. She was 21. And according to those close to them, the connection was instant. By 2002, they were official, and soon after, they became one of LA’s most talked-about couples.

Eventually, they took things a step further, getting engaged in September 2008. For years, they seemed like the perfect match, raising four kids and holding things down in the public eye. But by 2014, that chapter came to an end. Quietly, they went their separate ways, leaving behind a story that still has people asking.

Was Gilbert Arenas ever married to her?

There’s still a lot of confusion around Gilbert Arenas and Laura Govan’s relationship. While their long-term romance and four kids made them feel like a married couple to the public, the truth is far more complicated—and honestly, a little painful. During a sit-down with Carlos King in October last year, Laura opened up about how things have taken a turn for the worse.

According to her, Arenas allegedly uses their children as leverage to get under her skin. She shared, “Because now he uses the children. Because now he knows how to manipulate it because he can’t directly bother me right so he knows how much I love my children…”

Moreover, she didn’t hold back on how deep the manipulation cuts. Laura continued, “…but here’s the thing, he also knows is that I love my children more than I hate him so he attacks the motherhood side of it um, he’s just done a lot. He’s done a lot. He’s the devil who’s busy at work and I fight it every day.”

Interestingly, even the host of the show got tripped up when speaking about the ex-couple. At one point, Carlos referred to Arenas as Laura’s “ex-husband” before catching himself and correcting it to “ex-boyfriend.” That slip prompted Laura to finally clear the air.

“So let’s clear this up, we were never married, ok?” she said. “Before, I used to let that slide because we were married by law because it was 10E, blah blah blah blah, because we were together for so long…” And just like that, the rumor mill got shut down. They were together for years—but legally? Never husband and wife.

Gilbert Arenas and Laura Govan’s kids?

While the relationship between Gilbert Arenas and Laura Govan didn’t end on the smoothest note, what did come out of it was something they both seem to agree on—parenting. The couple shares four kids: Izela Semaya, Alijah Amani, Hamiley Penny, and Aloni Kianno. Laura was just 26 when she gave birth to their first daughter on December 24, 2005. Less than two years later, their son Alijah was born on March 16, 2007.

Then came baby number three—Hamiley arrived on December 9, 2009, and just a year later, Aloni joined the crew on June 1, 2011. Despite everything that’s gone down between Laura and Gilbert, the bond the kids share with both parents has stayed strong, even a decade after the breakup.

So, while the romance ran its course, their kids remain the real glue, still holding both sides together in their own way.