Matt Barnes is a former American basketball player who played for the Memphis Grizzlies. He won the NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors during his last season back in 2017. Now, Barnes is a basketball analyst who works at ESPN and NBC Sports California for Sacramento Kings games.
The American basketball player has gained much fandom during his career in the sport. Many fans are now wondering about the personal life of Matt. They want to know his relationship status and find out more about his marriage.
Matt Barnes Wife
The former basketball player was married to Gloria Govan from 2013 to 2016. She is now 39 years old and has moved on from Matt for a long time. The couple was idolized by many of Matt’s fans who saw the onscreen chemistry between them. However, their marriage didn’t last long, and the couple finally got divorced in 2016.
Gloria Govan and Matt have 2 children together, a boy named Carter Kelly Barnes and another named Isaiah Michael Barnes. After the divorce, Gloria looks after them, although Matt visits them sometimes.
Anansa Sims & Matt Barnes
After moving on from Gloria, Matt found another love in the form of Anansa Sims. Anansa is the daughter of the famous model Beverly Johnson. On 4 September 2024, the couple made an announcement on social media about their newborn baby boy, Austin Matthew Barnes.
The couple also posted a joint picture of their son on 3 October 2024. Austin was wrapped around a blue blanket as he was fast asleep. The picture was full of sweetness as the couple was seen kissing each other while holding their newborn son. Their joint Instagram post caption stated:
Austin Matthew Barnes. 9-4-24. 8lbs 5oz, 22 inches. Mommy, daddy, your brothers and sister love you so much!
The mother of Anansa Sims, supermodel Beverly Johnson, was also excited for the birth of her grandson. She stated:
Oh my dear Austin… The joy you bring to your Mom, Dad, brothers, sister and Grandparents Is truly a gift💙. We love you so very much !!Thank you Jesus🙏🏾💙.
Relationship History
Matt was in a long relationship with Anansa Sims. Their relationship was on and off for many years until the couple finally decided to get engaged during the Christmas of 2022. The relationship between them started during the late 1990s back at UCLA.
The downside of their relationship was at its peak in 2018 when both of them had a public breakup. You can imagine how serious it was by the actions of Sims who even filed for a restraining order. However, despite all the hardships, the couple got together and had an engagement. They even shared an Instagram post to celebrate their engagement. The caption stated:
Love Wins. Engagement Shoot.
The birth of Austin was their second son, as previously, the couple already welcomed their firstborn son, Ashton Joseph Barnes. Their first son was born in 2018. Barnes is also the father of two sons from his previous marriage to Gloria Govan. Meanwhile, Gloria has also moved on from Barnes and married David Patterson Jr. and she has three children with him.
Back in 2022, the couple Matt Barnes and Sims made their reality TV show named “The Barnes Bunch” which was released on WEtv. The web series has shown the lives of the couple and their journey since the start of their love. It also includes all the milestones the couple has undergone during their complex journey till their engagement.
The web series also features wedding plans made by Matt Barnes and Sims. Since the retirement of Barnes from basketball, he also has launched his podcast named “All the Smoke”.
Fatherhood
Matt has been a proud father even for his two sons with his previous wife, Gloria Govan. When his two twin sons, Carter and Isaiah graduated from the 8th grade in May 2023, he gave a sweet tribute to his two sons on Instagram by congratulating them. He stated:
14yrs later & you’re off to high school!! Words can’t express how proud I am of you two. Continue moving w honor, morals, principles & respect as you guys navigate this nxt chapter🙏🏽 Love you two w all my heart @carterbarnes35 @zaybarnes30.
Barnes has further clearly stated that since he retired from basketball, his focus has been on his children. He believes that during his time of career, he was unable to give ample time to his sons. According to him, now is the time he would like to be with his children at all times. He stated:
I had my twins when I was in the league. You know what I mean? So there was so many times that, I just couldn’t make this, this and that. Post-career, they’re my priority, they come before any of my jobs.
