The first meeting between former Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and Paul George had to be awkward. Rivers and George were two pieces of a championship contender, in addition to Kawhi Leonard, but they knew each other from a different avenue. George previously dated his coach's daughter Callie Rivers. The split wasn't exactly private or amicable. Now that Callie is guard Seth Curry's wife, and sister-in-law to Ayesha Curry, the wife of NBA star point guard Wardell Stephen Curry, things are potentially even more awkward.
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But that's what happens when you trade your son-in-law to a division rival. Things get awkward when you meet in the playoffs. It's not personal, it's just professional basketball business. But there's a lot of awkwardness to unpack, so let's start at the beginning.
Did Paul George Date Doc Rivers' Daughter?
You want some real NBA drama? 5 years ago, Paul George dated his new coach Doc Rivers' daughter Callie and cheated on her, resulting in a pregnant stripper. Callie Rivers is now engaged to Seth Curry.
— Ryan Case (@film114) July 6, 2019
Florida Gators volleyball star Callie Rivers and Paul George dated for a short period from 2013-14. The relationship hit its stopping point when news broke that George impregnated a Miami stripper named Daniela Rajic. It was rumored that George offered $1 million to pay for an abortion, though his spokesman told TMZ Sports that was untrue. She gave birth to their daughter, Olivia George, on May 1, 2014. A paternity test confirmed George was the father. The seven-time NBA All-Star and Rajic welcomed a second daughter, Natasha George, on November 1, 2017. They remain a couple to this day.
For Callie, the Paul George saga was a detour on the way to greener pastures. Let's get to know her.
Callie Rivers: Doc Rivers' Only Daughter
Callie Rivers is the second child of Doc and Kristen Rivers.
Her older brother Jeremiah played college basketball at Georgetown and Indiana. He played for the Maine Red Claws, the Boston Celtics' G-League affiliate, for the 2012-13 season.
Austin Rivers, her second youngest brother, has played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and is currently on the Denver Nuggets.
The youngest Rivers child, Spencer, played college hoops at UC Irvine.
Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images
All attended Winter Park High School in Orlando, Florida, where the family settled when their basketball coach father was leading the Orlando Magic.
Standing 5-foot-11, Callie excelled at volleyball. She led Winter Park to state titles in her last three seasons and played four years at the University of Florida. She had a solid career in Gainesville, earning a spot on the 2007 SEC-All-Freshman team and 2010 First Team All-SEC honors.
Success in college took her to the semi-professional volleyball level in Puerto Rico with the Leonas de Ponce of the Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino. She has since retired.
The Other Splash Brother Enters the Picture
RELATED: Steph Curry's Little Sister Married His Teammate
Callie Rivers and NBA player Seth Curry got engaged on Valentine's Day 2019. Seth popped the question in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina surrounded by friends and family. Callie celebrated on social media.
2.14.19 was a DAY.
so thankful & blessed & loved & happy & positive & complete 💕💕— callie rivers curry (@calliecurry) February 15, 2019
The former professional volleyball player was present during the Portland Trail Blazers' playoff run to the 2019 Western Conference Finals against Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors. Seth's older brother led the way in a sweep.
Seth returned to the Dallas Mavericks on a four-year, $32 million deal in July 2019. He was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in November 2020.
The basketball player has endeared a professional relationship with his father-in-law, who was hired by the Sixers after being let go by LA following their disappointing finish in 2020. The family ties in Philly seemed strong, until Seth was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the massive deal that sent Ben Simmons to Nets and James Harden to the Sixers. As it turns out, Curry appears to be a better get than Simmons in the end.
Callie is also half of The Ringer's "Bachelor Party" podcast, where Curry and cohost Juliet Litman recap the ABC dating reality TV show and also discuss other pop culture topics. When Seth was traded to Brooklyn, Juliet assured Callie that she would enjoy Brooklyn, something Callie seemed to be lukewarm about.
Welcome to the playoffs, Seth! pic.twitter.com/Q7qBO3pFiA
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 14, 2019
Callie and Seth were married in Malibu, California on September 14, 2019. In a New York Post piece, the NBA coach joked about paying for the wedding of a professional athlete who has a growing net worth.
"It was very expensive," the former Clippers coach said. "I have to be the first coach to ever throw a wedding for an NBA player. Like, I don't get that. I don't think I should have paid. I really don't. But it was fantastic."
Seth and Callie's daughter, Carter Lynn Curry, was born in May 2018. The announced a second child was on the way in October 2021. Expect more Curry family Halloween costumes in the future, hopefully with cousin Riley joining in on the fun.
The couple joined two of basketball's most prominent families. We're familiar with two-time MVP Steph Curry, his wife Ayesha and the leaders of Curry family, former Charlotte Hornets player Dell Curry and former Virginia Tech volleyball player Sonya. Sydel Curry-Lee, Seth and Steph's younger sister, is married to Warriors' guard Damion Lee.
The kids that emerge from this marriage should be added to draft boards as soon as possible.
This post was originally published on August 20, 2020.
