When Derek Fisher, an American basketball coach, began dating Gloria Govan, a former Basketball Wives LA star, six years ago, their relationship drew attention because they had recently divorced from their respective ex-spouses.
Fisher had divorced his wife Candace Fisher, and Govan had divorced her husband, Matt Barnes.
Despite this, they were still legally married, which posed a significant hurdle to Fisher and Gloria’s budding relationship.
Here’s a recap of the trials and tribulations that led up to their happy marriage.
Gloria Govan divorces her husband in October of 2014.
On October 14, 2014, TMZ claimed that Govan and her then-husband Barnes had split up due to trust concerns.
The couple, who had initially met when they were teenagers, had reconnected after a long separation and began dating in 2006.
Carter and Isaiah, their twin sons, were born on November 6, 2008, after they were engaged in 2018. Then, in August of 2013, they married.
Their marriage, on the other hand, did not stand the test of time and ended in 2014. Fisher and Candace, his nine-year-old wife, divorced in the same year.
Barnes Assaults Derek Fisher in October of 2015
Fisher and Govan began dating in secret in early 2015. Govan’s ex-husband and Fisher, who were former teammates, were said to be enraged by the news of their growing connection.
They were teammates for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2010 to 2012 and had a good relationship.
Barnes drove 95 miles from Santa Barbara to confront Fisher at Govan’s residence in Redondo Beach, California, according to reports in October 2015.
He allegedly got into an argument with Fisher, who was in the backyard with Govan and other family members.
Despite the extensive media coverage, no charges were made as a result of the ordeal. Barnes, on the other hand, rejected the allegations, claiming that he went to the house to check on his children.
Derek Fisher and Gloria Govan Get Engaged in April 2018
Fisher and his former wife Candace reached an agreement in May 2016 to end their divorce proceedings. Following that, in December 2016, Govan legally divorced Barnes.
Surprisingly, the reality star’s ex-partner performed admirably during the engagement. Barnes congratulated the two in a post on Instagram.
He wrote, “You folks want this to be an issue, it isn’t!” before claiming that he solely cared about his children.
Fisher and the former NBA player had a good understanding and talked well about his children, according to the former NBA player.
Barnes secured full custody of his children and an 18-month restraining order against Govan just months after the engagement.
Fisher and Gloria Govan tie the knot in July 2021.
Fisher and his fiancée married on July 18, 2021, in Cielo Farms in Malibu, California, despite all obstacles and challenges.
For the big day, Govan wore a white lace wedding gown with a train veil, while the 47-year-old sported a black tuxedo.
Kelly Patrice arranged and supervised the ceremony, which was overseen by the basketball player’s brother Eric Govan.
Govan’s twin and Fisher’s children from a previous marriage were among the VIP visitors.
The couple had planned to marry in April 2020, but the pandemic forced them to postpone the event.
Govan told People at the time, “After almost two years of waiting here, we are — and we couldn’t be happier.”
The California native also noted that the ups and downs they faced early on helped to strengthen their bond. “From friendship to marriage, we’ve been quite open about our expectations,” the bride continued.
