Basketball Wives: LA
Encyclopedia
Basketball Wives: LA is a reality television series that premiered on August 29, 2011, on VH1. Created by production company Shed Media, the series follows the lives of a group of women who have all been somehow romantically linked to professional basketball players. The show is filmed in Los Angeles
, California
. It is a spinoff of Basketball Wives
.
, claims to have the strongest marriage in basketball
, and it shows: she and Doug renew their vows every year! Bulldozed in the press for being overbearing and controlling in her relationship, she's not one to hold her tongue, even with other players' wives. She loves the spotlight and seems unfazed by her reputation as a polarizing figure in the world of basketball wives.
, may be fairly new to the West Coast (She is from Oakland, CA...she is NOT new to the West Coast), but not to viewers of Basketball Wives
. After relocating to Los Angeles
and surviving Barnes' first season playing for the most recognizable team in the world, she's keeping busy both as mom to her twins and taking on a new challenge: easing into the Southern California lifestyle. Pursuing her modeling and acting career, she has stepped up her game and her image.
, but has now reunited with him.
, grew up in Compton, California
before meeting her husband at 22. On being a basketball wife, she confesses that she always has her guard up and that one has to be a strong individual in order to live this lifestyle because it will "swallow you up and spit you out".
and mother of three, has fought hard against being stigmatized since parting ways with her famous ex and isn't shy to confess that she hasn't dated since. A former singer with a New York
girl group, Imani says she's in the process of rediscovering what makes her happy again.
with several music videos and magazine covers to her credit. A controversial beauty with a history of dating players and stripping, she has also dated Chris Brown.
player Jayson Williams
, Tanya hoped to join the show to add “substance”, stating she wanted to “elevate the negative perception” of Basketball Wives. However, the negativity got to peacemaker Tanya after the other wives confronted her after they perceived her being too preachy, leading to her early exit from the show. Williams will not be returning for a 2nd season.
and mother of three. Originally from Queens, she’s not the biggest fan of living in Los Angeles. After seventeen years with Artest, she’s rolled with the punches when it comes to the basketball lifestyle. Kimsha refuses to resign herself to the LA “party” lifestyle, also shying away from the bling. She was not a main cast member of the show due to what producers said was a “lack of showing up for the show”. However, Artest said she didn’t like the crowd of girls on the show and wavered away "from their drama”.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is a spinoff of Basketball Wives
Basketball Wives
Basketball Wives is a reality television series that premiered on the VH1 cable television network on April 11, 2010. Created by production company Shed Media US, the series follows the lives of a group of women who have all been somehow romantically linked to professional basketball players. The...
.
Jackie Christie
Jackie Christie, wife of retired player Doug ChristieDoug Christie (basketball)
Douglas Dale Christie is a retired American basketball player.-Early life:Christie is the son of John Malone and Norma Christie...
, claims to have the strongest marriage in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, and it shows: she and Doug renew their vows every year! Bulldozed in the press for being overbearing and controlling in her relationship, she's not one to hold her tongue, even with other players' wives. She loves the spotlight and seems unfazed by her reputation as a polarizing figure in the world of basketball wives.
Gloria Govan
Gloria Govan, the ex-fiancee of LA's Matt BarnesMatt Barnes
Matt Kelly Barnes is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association.-High school years:...
, may be fairly new to the West Coast (She is from Oakland, CA...she is NOT new to the West Coast), but not to viewers of Basketball Wives
Basketball Wives
Basketball Wives is a reality television series that premiered on the VH1 cable television network on April 11, 2010. Created by production company Shed Media US, the series follows the lives of a group of women who have all been somehow romantically linked to professional basketball players. The...
. After relocating to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and surviving Barnes' first season playing for the most recognizable team in the world, she's keeping busy both as mom to her twins and taking on a new challenge: easing into the Southern California lifestyle. Pursuing her modeling and acting career, she has stepped up her game and her image.
Laura Govan
Laura Govan, sister of Gloria Govan, may be rebuilding her life with just her kids and brand new baby to keep her company, but she's never alone as Govan family ties run strong. Like her sister Gloria, she has no trouble speaking her mind or sticking up for family when things get rough. She was the ex-fiance Gilbert ArenasGilbert Arenas
Gilbert Jay Arenas, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . He plays as a point guard and shooting guard....
, but has now reunited with him.
Malaysia Pargo
Malaysia Pargo, wife of Chicago's Jannero PargoJannero Pargo
Jannero Pargo is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls.-College career:Graduating from Paul Robeson High School at Chicago in 1998, Pargo played collegiately for the University of Arkansas after transferring from Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas in...
, grew up in Compton, California
Compton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
before meeting her husband at 22. On being a basketball wife, she confesses that she always has her guard up and that one has to be a strong individual in order to live this lifestyle because it will "swallow you up and spit you out".
Imani Showalter
Imani Showalter, ex-fiancee of player Stephen JacksonStephen Jackson
Stephen Jesse Jackson is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. Jackson is a 6'8" guard-forward.-Early life, high school, and college:Jackson was born in Houston and grew up in Port Arthur, Texas...
and mother of three, has fought hard against being stigmatized since parting ways with her famous ex and isn't shy to confess that she hasn't dated since. A former singer with a New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
girl group, Imani says she's in the process of rediscovering what makes her happy again.
Draya Michele
Draya Michele is currently a model and aspiring actress to many big name male entertainers and sports figures in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
with several music videos and magazine covers to her credit. A controversial beauty with a history of dating players and stripping, she has also dated Chris Brown.
Tanya Williams
The soon-to-be ex-wife of imprisoned New Jersey NetsNew Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
player Jayson Williams
Jayson Williams
Jayson Williams is an American former professional basketball player. Standing 6 feet, 10 inches tall, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. In 2010, he pled guilty to assault in the shooting death of a limousine driver...
, Tanya hoped to join the show to add “substance”, stating she wanted to “elevate the negative perception” of Basketball Wives. However, the negativity got to peacemaker Tanya after the other wives confronted her after they perceived her being too preachy, leading to her early exit from the show. Williams will not be returning for a 2nd season.
Kimsha Artest
Kimsha Artest is a self-described ‘partner’ of Ron ArtestRon Artest
Metta World Peace is an American professional basketball player and rapper who is currently with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. World Peace gained a reputation as one of the league's premier defenders as he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004...
and mother of three. Originally from Queens, she’s not the biggest fan of living in Los Angeles. After seventeen years with Artest, she’s rolled with the punches when it comes to the basketball lifestyle. Kimsha refuses to resign herself to the LA “party” lifestyle, also shying away from the bling. She was not a main cast member of the show due to what producers said was a “lack of showing up for the show”. However, Artest said she didn’t like the crowd of girls on the show and wavered away "from their drama”.
Cast History
| Main | Season 1 |
|---|---|
| Gloria Govan | |
| Jackie Christie | |
| Imani Showalter | |
| Laura Govan | |
| Malaysia Pargo | |
| Draya Michelle |
| Recurring | Season 1 |
|---|---|
| Kimsha Artest | |
| Tanya Williams | |
Series overview
| Season | Episodes | Season Premiere | Season Finale | Reunion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | August 29, 2011 | November 14, 2011 | November 21, 2011 November 28, 2011 |
|
Season 1: 2011
| Episode # | Airdate | Short Summary | US Viewers (million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 29, 2011 | In the series premiere, a fresh group of West Coast basketball wives, girlfriends, fianciees and exes deal with life in SoCal's hottest hub for gossip and game. Also, the addition of controversial model/actress Draya to the social mix makes waves and an unexpected blowout between Laura and Malaysia turns ugly. The cast includes Malaysia Pargo, Imani Showalter, Tanya Williams, Draya Michele, Gloria and Laura Govan, Kimsha Artest and Jackie Christie. | 1.812 |
| 2 | September 5, 2011 | After a rooftop altercation between Malaysia and Laura, Tanya finds herself the surprise recipient of the group's disdain. Also, Imani tries to keep a secret about one of the girls close to the vest -- but can't resist calling her "worthless". | 1.697 |
| 3 | September 12, 2011 | Jackie prepares for her annual renewal of vows to Doug Christie, but will Draya make the cut for an invite? Also, Jackie's bachelorette party nearly boils over when some surprise guests turn up the heat. | 1.307 |
| 4 | September 19, 2011 | Love is in the air at Jackie and Doug Christie's Vegas wedding, the 16th time they have tied the knot, but feathers are ruffled when one of the girls goes AWOL. | 1.471 |
| 5 | September 26, 2011 | The group takes Draya to task over sitting out Jackie's wedding, and Imani's frustration with the single life results in a new resolve to get back in the game. Also, Laura discovers that Draya has had a lot to say about her to someone outside the group. | 1.721 |
| 6 | October 3, 2011 | Laura's issues with Draya turn the group's recreational MMA outing into a major showdown... but the heat really turns up when Jackie and Laura start digging up Draya's past online. | 1.562 |
| 7 | October 10, 2011 | After reaching out to Malaysia, Draya is confused when Jackie suddenly decides she's her new best buddy. Also, Imani dives back into the dating pool, but can an ordinary Joe hold her interest? | 1.157 |
| 8 | October 17, 2011 | Jackie's penchant for gossip begins to wear on the girls. Also, a trip to Oakland has Gloria wondering about the future of her relationship with Matt. | 1.289 |
| 9 | October 24, 2011 | Matt and Gloria's charity golf event serves as a backdrop for friction between Draya and Laura. | 1.730 |
| 10 | October 31, 2011 | The basketball ladies try to rebound with a sun-and-fun trip to Hawaii, yet the drama gets hot when it dawns on them that Jackie's machinations have been putting them against each other. | 1.285 |
| 11 | November 7, 2011 | It's a Hawaiian punch of drama when the vacationing ladies decide to confront Jackie about her behavior. The escalating tension could mean a premature end to their island getaway. | 1.985 |
| 12 | November 14, 2011 | Jackie's attempt to reconcile with the girls doesn't go as planned. Also, Matt and Gloria' relationship takes a turn no one saw coming. | 2.178 |
| 13 | November 21, 2011 | The hoops wives try to rebound in Part 1 of a two-part reunion. Topics include Draya's haunted past; the tension between Laura and Draya; and Matt and Gloria's relationship. John Salley hosts. | 2.263 |
| 14 | November 28, 2011 | Host John Salley officiates the conclusion of a reunion featuring the reassembled hoops wives. Dramas revolve around Season 1's turbulent end and the ladies' battles with Jackie. | 2.315 |