Matt Barnes’ relationship history has been closely followed by basketball fans for years, particularly because his former marriage to Gloria Govan became connected to one of the more talked-about personal stories in NBA circles.
Barnes, the retired NBA player, and Govan were together for several years, welcomed twin sons and eventually married in 2013. Their marriage did not last, however, and the couple finalized their divorce in 2016.
The story became even more complicated after Govan began a relationship with Barnes’ former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Derek Fisher. Fisher and Barnes had once been teammates and were described as close, which made the situation especially difficult.
Although Barnes and Govan’s relationship ended years ago, their family connection continued because of their twin boys, Carter and Isaiah. Their custody dispute also became a major part of the public story surrounding the former couple.
Who Was Matt Barnes’ Wife?
Matt Barnes was married to Gloria Govan, a television personality best known for appearing on Basketball Wives L.A.
Govan and Barnes were together for years before they officially married. Their relationship began in the mid-2000s, and they eventually became parents to twin boys.
The couple’s marriage lasted less than two years. They married in 2013 and finalized their divorce in December 2016.
Although their marriage ended, Barnes and Govan remained connected through their children. Unfortunately, their post-divorce relationship became complicated by disagreements over custody and other personal issues.
How Matt Barnes and Gloria Govan Met
Barnes and Govan reportedly first crossed paths when Govan was very young. They later reconnected when Barnes was playing basketball near Govan’s hometown of Oakland.
Their romantic relationship began in 2006.
At that point, Barnes was already establishing himself as an NBA player, while Govan was beginning to develop her own public identity.
The couple eventually became engaged and started a family.
Their relationship went through a number of difficult periods before they finally married.
Matt Barnes and Gloria Govan’s Twin Sons
Barnes and Govan have twin sons, Carter and Isaiah.
Their children became an important part of both parents’ lives and remained at the center of their relationship even after the marriage ended.
For Barnes, being a father has consistently been an important part of his public identity. His relationship with his sons was also one of the reasons he continued to have contact with Govan after their divorce.
The boys were still young when their parents’ marriage ended, meaning Barnes and Govan had to continue navigating co-parenting despite their disagreements.
That arrangement eventually became increasingly difficult.
Their Marriage in 2013
After several years together, Barnes and Govan married in 2013.
Their wedding represented the next step in a relationship that had already included engagement and parenthood.
However, their marriage lasted only around two years.
By the time the relationship ended, the couple had already experienced significant personal difficulties, and their divorce became another chapter in a highly public relationship.
They ultimately settled their divorce in December 2016.
Although the marriage was over, their disagreements did not completely disappear.
Matt Barnes and Gloria Govan’s Divorce
Barnes and Govan’s divorce was finalized in 2016.
Their split received considerable media attention because of the couple’s public profiles and because they were already parents to twin boys.
Divorce can be complicated under ordinary circumstances, but Barnes and Govan’s situation became even more challenging because of disagreements involving their children.
The custody battle continued for years.
In 2018, Barnes was awarded sole physical and legal custody of the twins, according to reports at the time. A judge also granted Barnes an 18-month restraining order protecting him from Govan.
Govan was also ordered to complete anger-management sessions and parenting classes.
These court proceedings became one of the most serious developments in their post-marriage relationship.
The Derek Fisher Connection
One of the biggest reasons the Barnes and Govan story received so much attention was Govan’s relationship with Derek Fisher.
Fisher was not a stranger to Barnes.
The two men had played together with the Los Angeles Lakers and had reportedly been close during their time as teammates.
That friendship made Fisher’s relationship with Govan particularly sensitive.
Govan and Fisher began dating in 2015, after both had gone through the divorce process.
However, the timing created controversy because Barnes and Govan were still legally married when their relationship began.
Barnes and Govan’s divorce was eventually finalized in 2016.
Fisher later became engaged to Govan in 2018.
Matt Barnes and Derek Fisher’s Infamous Confrontation
The relationship between Barnes and Fisher became even more controversial after an incident at Govan’s home in California.
Reports at the time said Barnes drove to Govan’s house after learning that Fisher was there.
A physical confrontation reportedly followed.
The incident received extensive coverage because Barnes and Fisher had been teammates and because Fisher was dating Barnes’ former wife.
Barnes later disputed the portrayal of the situation.
He said he had gone to check on his children rather than driving there with the intention of starting a fight.
Police responded to the incident, but no charges were filed in connection with the reported altercation.
The episode nevertheless became one of the most memorable parts of the complicated history between Barnes, Govan and Fisher.
Fisher and Barnes Eventually Moved Forward
Despite the tension between the two men, Fisher eventually spoke about the situation publicly and suggested that he and Barnes had reached a more respectful place.
Fisher explained that he did not view the relationship with Govan as violating an unwritten NBA rule.
He also emphasized that the most important consideration was the children.
By then, both men had roles in the lives of the children connected to their families, making it more important to move past old disagreements.
Fisher’s comments suggested that the rivalry had become less important than maintaining a healthy environment for the children.
That change was significant considering how intense the situation had appeared several years earlier.
Gloria Govan and Derek Fisher’s Engagement
In April 2018, Fisher proposed to Govan.
The engagement was another major moment in the ongoing story because of Fisher’s history with Barnes.
Interestingly, Barnes appeared to take the news in a relatively calm way.
He publicly congratulated the couple and made it clear that his main concern was his children.
That response was notably different from the anger associated with the earlier confrontation.
Barnes’ attitude appeared to reflect a shift in priorities.
Rather than continuing to focus on his former wife’s relationship, he emphasized the importance of his sons.
The Custody Battle
The custody dispute between Barnes and Govan became one of the most serious issues following their divorce.
In 2018, Barnes sought changes to the custody arrangement after Govan was arrested following an incident involving the boys’ school.
Govan was charged with felony child endangerment after an altercation involving Barnes at the school, according to reports at the time.
Barnes argued that the situation raised concerns about the safety of his children.
A judge subsequently awarded Barnes sole physical and legal custody of the twins.
Govan was also ordered to complete anger-management sessions and parenting classes as part of the court’s decision.
The legal developments marked a dramatic point in what had already been a lengthy custody dispute.
Matt Barnes’ Focus on His Children
Despite the difficult history with Govan, Barnes has repeatedly emphasized his role as a father.
His twin sons have remained one of the most important parts of his life.
This was also evident during the controversy surrounding Fisher.
Barnes argued that his primary concern during the confrontation was checking on his children and making sure they were comfortable.
Later, when Fisher and Govan became engaged, Barnes said his children mattered most to him.
That perspective became increasingly important as everyone involved moved into new stages of their lives.
Who Is Gloria Govan?
Gloria Govan is a television personality who became widely recognized through Basketball Wives L.A.
Her relationship with Barnes brought her into the NBA spotlight, but she also developed her own identity through television and other projects.
Her public life became closely linked to basketball because of her relationship with Barnes and later Fisher.
Govan and Fisher eventually built a life together after the controversy surrounding their early relationship.
Her relationship with Barnes, however, remains an important part of her public history because of their children.
Matt Barnes’ Life After the Marriage
Barnes has continued his life and career after retiring from professional basketball.
He has remained involved in sports media and entertainment while also focusing heavily on family.
His NBA career included stops with several teams, and he became known for his toughness, competitive personality and physical style of play.
After retirement, he found new ways to stay connected to basketball.
His personal life has also continued to attract interest, but the story surrounding Govan and Fisher has gradually become less central as the years have passed.
Is Gloria Govan Still Matt Barnes’ Wife?
No. Gloria Govan is Matt Barnes’ former wife.
The couple married in 2013 and finalized their divorce in 2016.
They share twin sons, Carter and Isaiah, but they are no longer married.
Govan later became engaged to Derek Fisher, Barnes’ former Lakers teammate.
Because of their children, Barnes and Govan remain connected as parents even though their romantic relationship ended years ago.
The Bigger Story Behind Matt Barnes’ Marriage
The story of Matt Barnes and Gloria Govan is more complicated than a simple celebrity marriage and divorce.
Their relationship began in 2006, led to engagement, marriage and the birth of twin boys, and eventually ended in divorce.
After the split, Govan’s relationship with Derek Fisher added another layer of tension because Fisher had previously been Barnes’ teammate and friend.
The situation became public through a confrontation, years of verbal disputes and eventually a custody battle.
Yet, over time, the people involved appeared to move toward a more mature understanding of the situation.
For Barnes, the central priority became his sons.
Fisher also emphasized that the children should not be caught in adult disagreements.
That may be the most important part of the story today. The relationship between Barnes and Govan did not work out, and the circumstances surrounding their breakup were highly publicized. But their role as parents has remained.
Barnes is no longer married to Gloria Govan, but their shared history and their twin sons mean that they will always have a connection.