Gilbert Arenas' 5 Kids: All About Izela, Alijah, Hamiley, Aloni and Gia (Who Learned Basketball From the NBA Star Himself!)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty ; Michael Kovac/WireImage

Gilbert Arenashas five children, including four who are already making their names in futureNBAandWNBAcircles.

The three-time NBA All-Star and host of the podcastGil’s Arenashares four kids with his ex Laura Govan: Izela, Alijah, Hamiley and Aloni. Gilbert also shares a daughter Gia with his ex-girlfriend Lindsey Faulk.

Having reached basketball stardom and gone on to have one of the most popular sports podcasts, Gilbert is known for having a strong work ethic, which he passed down to his kids. His children, on the other hand, have taught him how to be patient.

“You know, when we get older we assume that we did stuff, like ‘I ran five straight miles every day, no break,’ ” Gilbert said inThe Arenas Legacy: Alijah Arenas Rise to The Top With Gilbert Arenas' Mindset!. “Teaching them now, you realize that that was probably [a lie] back then because, you know, as humans we do need breaks so they’ve been teaching me how to be patient and understanding.”

Gilbert’s older children all play basketball — Izela plays for the Louisville Cardinals, Hamiley plays for her high school and Aloni was already featured on SportsCenter Next before graduating middle school. Alijah became ranked as one of the top prospects in the country while in high school and is expected to be one of the best players from the class of 2026.

Here’s everything to know about Gilbert Arenas’ five kids: Izela, Alijah, Hamiley, Aloni and Gia.

Izela Arenas, 19

Gilbert Arenas' eldest daughter Izela Arenas holds a bouquet of roses.Gilbert Arenas/ Instagram

Gilbert Arenas/ Instagram

Gilbert and Govan welcomed their first child, Izela, on Dec. 24, 2005.

She has followed in her parents' basketball footsteps (Govan also played basketball, at New Mexico State University) and her career took off during her junior year of high school. Izela’s team featured former two-time NBA All-StarZach Randolph’s daughter Mackenly Randolph and then-No. 1 ranked high school playerJuju Watkins.

Izela — along with her superstar teammates — helped leadSierra Canyon Schoolto a CIF Open Division championship, a CIF State Open Division championship, an ESPN national championship and four league championships. During her junior year, the team was ranked No. 1 with a 31-1 record.

Izela also won Overtime Elite’s Queen of the Court competition in Atlanta where the best high school players in the country face off in a one-on-one tournament. Izela — whose father was known for being a 3-point marksman in the NBA — knocked down four 3-pointers in a row to claim the crown.

Gilbert was in attendance and proudly posted about his daughters’ accomplishment on his Instagram Stories. “@izelaaarenas went down to ATL the #QueenofThecourt event @ote was hosting and became the queen 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥🔥 🔥 💯,” Gilbert wrote.

In an interview with University of Connecticut starPaige BueckersforOvertime, Izela said that she modeled her game after both her parents.

In 2023, Izela committed to continue her basketball career at the University of Louisville and began her college career with the team the following year. Duringmedia day, Izela expressed that she had a great experience getting adjusted while being both nervous and excited about her debut.

“In terms of basketball, the pace of the game … for the last three months it’s been a great experience, just, you know, getting into that environment,” Izela said. “I think I’m going to be nervous [during the first game], but once tipoff starts, I’m going to be in the zone.”

Alijah Arenas, 17

Gilbert Arenas' son Alijah Arenas makes the 2024 USA Basketball Team.Laura Govan/ Instagram

Laura Govan/ Instagram

Gilbert and Govan welcomed their son Alijah on March 16, 2007, while Gilbert was having an All-Star season with the Washington Wizards.

Alijah has gained national attention as a five-star recruit with multiple college offers and as of December 2024, wasranked both the No. 4 playerand No. 1 shooting guard in the class of 2026. That month, he requested to be reclassified to become a senior and graduate in 2025.

On NBA superstar Paul George’sPodcast P, Gilbert elaborated on how he coaches his son.

“Ain’t no days off … We get 3 [hundred or] 400 shots up before school,” the former NBA Most Improved Player said. “He’s coachable … depending on what day it is in the mornings we’ll get up at like 5:30 so he [practices] an hour and a half. [He goes to school, comes home and then] works out and we got lifting right after and then we got more shooting, more dribbling.”

However, it’s not all intense basketball training for the father and son. During a joint interview inThe Arenas Legacy: Alijah Arenas Rise to the Top with Gilbert Arenas Mindset!Alijah said that his favorite thing about his dad is how he listens and that they do so many activities together, including playing video games.

“I feel like I can always have a conversation [with my dad] whether it’s swimming, basketball, anything,” Alijah said. “It’s just like the daily thing of like, ‘Hey, what do you want to do today?’ and then I know he’ll do it.”

Hamiley Arenas, 14

Michael Kovac/WireImage

Gilbert and Govan welcomed their second daughter, Hamiley, on Dec. 9, 2009, during Gilbert’s final season with the Wizards.

In 2024, Hamiley began playing basketball as a freshman in high school. According toSports Illustrated, Hamiley is expected to be one of her team’s top players. She is also a budding writer who works for her high school publication.

Aloni Arenas, 13

Gilbert Arenas' children Alijah, Aloni, Izela and Hamiley.Laura Govan/ Instagram

Gilbert and Govan welcomed their younger son Aloni on June 1, 2011, shortly after Gilbert’s lone season as a member of the Orlando Magic.

When Aloni was in fifth grade, Gilbert shared a video of him dominating during one of his basketball games, dribbling around defenders and hitting tough 3-point shots.

“Aloni Arenas up next 🙏🏿👌🏾🔥,” Gilbert wrote onInstagram.

He started making waves in the seventh grade after footage of him scoring on high schoolers was shared online. ESPN’sSportsCenter Nexteven covered him on social media, highlighting how they believe Aloni is on the path to becoming a future NBA star.

“At first glance he looks a lot like his older brother Alijah Arenas, who’s been working out with NBA stars all summer despite being a junior in high school,” Derrick Echols II said in the video. “Aloni is putting in work against high schoolers despite being in middle school. And I’m sure Aloni learned a thing or two from his sister Izela Arenas, who’s going to her freshman season at Louisville.”

Gia Arenas, 10

Gilbert Arenas and his youngest daughter, Gia.Gia Arenas/ Instagram

Gia Arenas/ Instagram

On Nov. 14, 2014 — over two years after Gilbert’s final season playing in the NBA — Gilbert welcomed his youngest daughter, Gia, with then-girlfriend Lindsay Faulk.

Gia regularly posts updates on her life on her Instagram, including when she shared a Valentine’s Day post of Gilbert hugging her in 2022. “My Valentine 🌹,” Gia wrote onInstagram.

In 2024, she and her cheerleading team won the National Cheerleading Association Division Championship. “Dallas did not disappoint 🎉 Thank you @ncacheer for weekend that will last a life time!!” Gia wrote onInstagram.

Gilbert commented multiple emojis below her post to celebrate his youngest daughter.

source: people.com