NBA star Damian Lillard has filed for divorce from wife Kay’La Hanson, just days after being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster deal.
Lillard, 33, had agitated for a move this offseason after 11 years in Portland for the Portland Trail Blazers, and was eventually sent to Milwaukee in a three-team deal involving Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton and Jusuf Nurkic.
Now, it seems there will be another major life change for the point guard, as he’s filed for divorce from his wife Kay’La, 31, due to ‘irreconcilable differences,’ according to the Willamette Week.
The college sweethearts married only two years ago in 2021, but have suffered an ‘irremediable breakdown of their marriage’ which has lead to their divorce.
But who is Kay’La Hanson, when did she meet and marry the NBA player and how many children do they share? MailOnline has everything you need to know…
Who is Kay’La Hanson?
Divorce: Kay’La Hanson and NBA star Damian Lillard married only two years ago in 2021, but have suffered an ‘irremediable breakdown of their marriage’ which has lead to a divorce filing
Young lovers: The couple have been together for more than 10 years, first meeting at university – with Hanson studying nursing and Lillard joining the varsity basketball program lineup
Kay’La Hanson was born on November 9, 1991, in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to Clutch Points.
She attended Legacy High School in 2010, and went on to become pre-med student at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah.
After graduating in 2014, Hanson earned a nursing degree at Nightingale College in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Hanson is currently an entrepreneur and beauty salon owner, who still dedicates some of her time to being a healthcare professional as she has been a registered nurse at a medical facility for six years.
She is the owner of DIPPED, a cosmetic nail business, and runs another venture called KASICS.
Hanson is currently pursuing a doctorate in the nurse practitioner program at the University of Portland.
When did Kay’La Hanson and Damian Lillard meet and get married?
College sweethearts: Kay’La and Damian met in their late teenage years when they were both attending Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, going on to date for 10 years
10 years later: With Hanson supporting Lillard from the very beginning of his career, the NBA star finally proposed to Kay’La in February 2020 at the NBA All-Star weekend in Chicago
Picture perfect: The couple tied the knot in September 2021 at a ceremony in Santa Barbara, California, with family, close friends and celebrity pals in attendance
The couple met in their late teenage years when they were both attending Weber State, becoming college sweethearts.
Despite going their separate ways to pursue their careers, with Lillard climbing the ranks in the professional basketball world and Hanson set on a career as a nurse, the pair continued to date for 10 years.
They got engaged in February 2020 after Lillard proposed to his wife at the NBA All-Star weekend in Chicago.
As Hanson had supported Lillard from the very beginning of his career, Damian’s intention to make Kay’La his wife marked a long awaited, full-circle moment.
In a joint 2021 interview with Kay’La for Ebony Magazine, Lillard candidly explained how he planned the secret proposal, saying: ‘I snuck all of my family and her family out to Chicago without her knowing.
He continued: ‘I told her we were attending a new Valentine’s Day event the NBA was hosting. We showed up to the venue where I had a wall full of roses designed with ‘Will You Marry Me?’
In 2021, Lillard suffered an abdomen injury that left him sidelined for the season. He then had surgery and underwent physical rehabilitation in early 2022 – with the NBA star crediting his wife for helping him get through recovery.
He told Yahoo! Sports in March 2022, ‘My wife and kids contributed a lot to how strong I did in rehab,’ before adding: ‘These precious moments with my wife. I’ve been able to date her. You get so used to being just partners.’
The sweethearts tied the knot in September 2021 at a ceremony in Santa Barbara, California, with family, close friends and celebrity pals in attendance.
According to The Sun, some of the big names on the guest list included rappers Common and Snoop Dogg, as well as some of Lillard’s former teammates, including Evan Turner and Tim Frazier.
Lillard’s mentor, former Portland Trail Blazers’ assistant David Vanterpool, was also in attendance.
How many children do Kay’La and Damian share?
Family of five: Lillard and Hanson share three young children together – Damian Jr., 5 (pictured, centre), and twins Kali (pictured, left) and Kalii (pictured, right), who are two-years-old
Lillard and Hanson share three children together, welcoming their first child, five-year-old Damian Jr., in March 2018.
In January 2021, Hanson gave birth to a set of twins – a son, Kalii Laheen Lillard and a daughter, Kali Emma Lillard, who are both two-years-old.
Though their names are spelled similarly, they are pronounced differently – Kali is pronounced as Kay-ley, whereas Kalii is pronounced as Kuh-lee.
The family often posted wholesome videos of their days out, doing silly dances and enjoying meals and quality time together at home on Kay’La’s TikTok page, @lillard.land.
Why have Kay’La and Damian filed for divorce?
Divorce amidst deal: Damian Lillard (pictured in October 2023, with son Kalii) filed for divorce on October 2 – just five days after his trade to the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster deal
Warm welcome: Last Saturday, Lillard was welcomed by hordes of Bucks fans at a welcome rally in Milwaukee, with the Bucks beginning their preseason vs. the Bulls on October 8
Damian Lillard filed for divorce on October 2 – just five days after his trade to the Bucks.
The divorce was filed in Clackamas County Circuit Court, Oregon, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ between the Lillards that has caused ‘the irremediable breakdown of their marriage.’
The filing obined by the Willamette Week suggests that Kay’La moved into a $2.7million home in December 2022 – with Lillard staying in the couple’s $7.7million mansion.
Lillard’s lawyer, Shawn Menashe, said in a statement to the publication: ‘Damian and his family ask that their privacy be respected during this sensitive time and presently have no further comment.’
Last Saturday, Lillard was welcomed by hordes of Bucks fans at a welcome rally in Milwaukee.
He will team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, with the team expected to contend for another championship following its 2021 title win.
The Bucks begin their preseason vs. the Bulls on October 8.
