BEFORE rising to basketball fame, Milwaukee Bucks player Damian Lillard scored on love when he met his college sweetheart.

Here is everything to know about Kay’La Hanson – the NBA star’s longtime love before he filed for divorce.

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Damian Lillard and his estranged wife Kay’La Hanson have parted waysCredit: Instagram/damianlillard

Who is Damian Lillard’s estranged wife, Kay’La Hanson?

Kay’La Hanson was born on November 9, 1991, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She graduated from Legacy High School in 2010.

Hanson started her educational career studying nursing at Webster State University in Utah, where she met Damian Lillard.

She then worked in healthcare for a reported six years.

Now Hanson owns her own nail business DIPPED in Oregon.

As Willamette Week reported, Lillard filed for divorce from Hanson on October 2, 2023, in Clackamas County Circuit Court.

The filing cites “irreconcilable differences” between the former couple that “caused the irremediable breakdown of their marriage,” per the outlet.

Basketball star Lillard’s divorce filing comes less than a week after he was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks.

In February 2024, Lillard opened up to Sports Illustrated about how his life had progressed since leaving Portland.

He said, “Just my whole life was set up perfectly right there. It was a great situation. So just leaving that behind alone is a lot.”

“It’s definitely lonely because I’m such a family guy. My life is my family,” he explained.

“I’m fine because I’m grown. But it’s definitely lonely. I’m filled up by those people.”

When did Damian Lillard and Kay’La Hanson begin dating?

The two began dating during their college days at Weber State.

In February 2020, Lillard proposed to his then-longtime girlfriend during the All-Star weekend in Chicago, Illinois.

Kay’La and Damian tied the knot in a private ceremony on September 5, 2021.

The big day featured famous guests like rappers Common and Snoop Dogg, as well as some of Lillard’s former teammates including Evan Turner and Tim Frazier.

Lillard’s mentor, former Blazers’ assistant David Vanterpool, was also in attendance.

The star’s mom, Gina Johnson, shared videos on her Instagram of the star-studded wedding reception.

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Damian Lillard and Kay’La Hanson began dating during their college days at Weber StateCredit: Instagram/damianlillard

Do Damian Lillard and Kay’La Hanson have children?

Lillard and Hanson share three children.

The former couple welcomed their first child, Damian Jr., in March 2018.

In January 2021, Hanson gave birth to twins, a son, Kalii Laheen Lillard, and a daughter, Kali Emma Lillard.

Though their names are spelled similarly, they are pronounced differently.

Kali is pronounced as Callie whereas Kalii is pronounced like kuh-lee.