A former NBA player says dating Khloe Kardashian “derailed his career.” Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
Former NBA guard Rashad McCants says the cost of his short-lived relationship with Khloe Kardashian went far beyond the tabloid spotlight. In his view, the timing and culture of the league during his playing days turned off-the-field visibility into a career liability.
McCants, who was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2005, has said players of his era should keep a low profile unless they are proven superstars. He believes any significant disruption could quickly have an impact on those still trying to establish themselves in the league.
advertise
MORE: Miami fans think adult film star Abella Danger is dating Carson Baker because of a viral fake tweet
In an interview with The Basketball Network’s Nick Raguz, McCants explained how celebrity relationships were viewed differently before the rise of social media and player branding. “Before, it was a distraction,” he said. “The powers that be don’t want players doing anything outside of the NBA that would be considered a distraction. You don’t see a lot of people dating celebrities unless they’re high-profile players.”
McCants believes this distinction is important. Playing in a small market while dating someone already famous, he felt like he couldn’t handle the scrutiny. “To me, as an under-the-radar guy and being in Minnesota, it’s more of a distraction than a compliment,” he said. “I was one of the early mature people in all of these things, but that didn’t help my situation.”
On the court, McCants’ NBA career was short and uneven. Injuries and inconsistent playing time limited his opportunities, and he averaged 9.9 points per game in four seasons with the Timberwolves. As the team reshuffled its roster and leaned toward younger players, his role gradually diminished, and his NBA career ended after the 2008-09 season.
advertise
More: Klay Thompson shows up to support Megan Thee Stallion Latest Dunkin Promotion
The former guard also noted how much the league has changed since then. Today’s NBA encourages players to build their brand, embrace social media and expand their visibility, regardless of market size. In McCants’ telling, this shift highlights how different the circumstances were when he was trying to establish himself.