Matt Barnes is accusing his ex-girlfriend, Anansa Sims, of keeping their one-year-old son away from him. Earlier today, the former NBA player shared a photo of him and his son Ashton with the caption, “Missing my Lil man.. Hopefully I’ll be allowed to see you soon.”
Anansa caught wind of Matt’s post and responded, “My kids see their fathers. I’m praying the restraining order protects me and keeps me safe.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B84JZIOpoMW/
Barnes then later explained in a lengthy Instagram post, “I was romantically involved with an Anansa for a short time before we became pregnant. I take full responsibility for my decisions, which led to a child entering the world. Because of the love that I have for my twins, I knew the pain of being apart from a child and wanted Ashton close to me as much as possible. In an attempt to do the right thing, I tried to play house. Again I take full responsibility for that choice.”
He continued, “For more than a year, I tried to make the arrangement work. Unfortunately, it did not. As a retired professional basketball player, sports commentator, and show host, I fully recognize that my private life will often spill into the public. Anansa has every right to seek attention in whatever fashion she chooses., whether that’s faking trips to Chicago or posting or videos to create her own narrative. In the end I hope that we can co=parent and do what’s best for Ash.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B84utpjJ4cW/
Barnes also revealed that he and Anansa will soon be heading to court to fight for custody of Ashton and that he and his ex-wife, Gloria Govan, are finally on better terms.
“Although I tried to handle this privately as adults without outside input, I have no choice but to allow the courts to intervene. I will play by the rules and will give my all to make sure that my son is not used as a pawn. As it relates to the restraining order, this comes out of the blue after I had been out of town working to provide for my boys. It is perfectly timed to align with our upcoming court date. In the end, I wish Anansa luck. After six years, I’m finally at peace with the twins mother and we are co-parenting the best that we can. I want that peace to continue in every part of my life.”
He ended, “This post is not meant to be petty or vindictive. It’s not fun fighting for your kids, especially under the public’s eye. With my 40th birthday a couple of weeks away, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I simply need to clarify what I now face. I know y’all are tired of hearing about it. I pray that I can handle the rest in private. And this too shall pass.”
Anansa and Matt welcomed their son Ashton Joseph Barnes in December 2018. The former couple have children from previous relationships–Sims has a daughter and two sons with ex-husband David Patterson, while Barnes has twin boys with ex-wife Gloria Govan.
