Former NBA player Kent Bazemore is sharing a lesson from his own experience and advising professional athletes to think carefully before getting married while they’re still playing.

Bazemore, who last played in the NBA in 2022, has reflected on his divorce from Samantha Serpe and how the experience changed the way he views marriage.

More Details Behind Kent Bazemore & Samantha Serpe’s Relationship

The former NBA star married Samantha Serpe in Asheville, North Carolina, in 2017, operating under a prenuptial agreement. The couple welcomed two children during their marriage.

Court records show the couple separated on November 23, 2022, before Serpe filed for divorce in January 2023.

According to court documents obtained by Page Six, the divorce was finalized in 2024 with Bazemore paying his ex-wife Serpe $1,520,944.34.

The amount belongs to her share of their Atlanta marital home, along with an agreement for $5,000 per month in child support. Serpe also kept a 2019 Mercedes G550, while Bazemore retained several other vehicles.

Now, looking back on his experience, Bazemore believes athletes should consider waiting until their playing careers are over before getting married.

His advice comes from firsthand experience navigating marriage, divorce, finances, and family life while being a professional athlete.

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For Bazemore, the message isn’t necessarily that athletes shouldn’t get married—it’s that they should understand the unique pressures that come with making that commitment while their careers are still unfolding.

What do you think? Should professional athletes wait until after their playing careers to get married?