You may recognize them as the stars of the popular series “Basketball Wives LA”, but these ladies say that they are much more than reality stars. The moms-(L to R)Imani Showalter, Draya Michelle, Laura Govan, Gloria Govan, Malaysia Pargo, and Jackie Christie- recently sat down with Jet magazine to explain why they are more ‘soccer mom than club fixture.’
Imani Showalter
Age 35, younger than 40
3 children( Ages 14,7, and 5)
On not living off her kids: “It isn’t about the money. He’s their father. A check can’t tuck you in at night or tell your daughter how great she is. And honestly, the check isn’t that great. I’m not a spendthrift. My kids need to go to college.”
Draya Michelle
Age 25
1 kid(Age 8 )
On rumors about her son: “[The rumors about my son] get addressed on the show. I will say you can’t believe everything you hear. It is very hard being a mom in the industry. My mother is my support system. She lives in Pennsylvania with my son. We see each other almost every week. He stays with her while I’m here working.”
Laura Govan
Age 31
4 Kids(Ages 5,4, 11/2, and newborn)
On her relationship with her kids’ father: “A piece of paper saying you’re married doesn’t define[the relationship]. I’ve been with Gilbert for 10 years; we’re married-I don’t give a damn what he says. He’s the father of my four children. I don’t see any other man in the household with me.”
Gloria Govan
Age 26
Twins(Ages 3)
On Marriage:
“I believe in marriage. My parents have been married for 36 years…but i’d cancel eight weddings to make sure that when i wed it’s right. We’ve been working at it for five years. I don’t feel like there’s a challenge we haven’t faced.”
Malaysia Pargo
Age 30
3 Kids(Ages 4 and 11-month-old twins)
On why she joined the show: “I thought the show was going to be like family. I’ve been blessed to be on teams where the women were welcoming. We have fun outside of basketball;we’d go to the mall of Bible study. I came in with an open mind.”
Jackie Christie
Age 43
3 children(Ages 22,18,10)
On Family: “My family is first. Doug and I are best friends.[Traveling with the team] wasn’t seen during his time in the NBA, but i did it. We tell everybody ‘you have to stay committed to the commitment.”
Pick up the latest issue(October) of Jet Magazine for more on the ‘basketball moms’.
