Javaris Crittenton was once picked 19th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2007 NBA Draft and seemed set for a solid NBA career. But things quickly took a turn.
Crittenton’s career was derailed by a locker room incident with teammate Gilbert Arenas while he was with the Washington Wizards.
The two got into a heated argument over a gambling debt that escalated into both players bringing guns into the locker room.
Crittenton tried making a comeback by playing in the D-League and overseas, but it didn’t last.
Unfortunately, in 2011, Crittenton was charged with the shooting death of Julian Jones, a 22-year-old mother of four.
After serving about 10 years, Crittenton was released in April 2023 under probation and with required community service.
Now, Netflix highlights his story in its documentary Untold: Shooting Guards, premiering May 6.
Javaris Crittenton’s Past Relationships, Abuse Allegations, And His Life Now As A Father To Two Sons
There is no public record of Crittenton’s marriage, but there have been reports of his relationships with Draya Michele, Mia Fields, and Tyress Daniels.
Javaris’s first documented romantic relationship came in 2008, when he played for the Memphis Grizzlies after being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007.
What really went down between Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton? Unpack how a gambling dispute led to guns drawn in an NBA locker room.
— Netflix (@netflix) April 15, 2025
Untold: Shooting Guards premieres May 6. pic.twitter.com/YYTzaRNCu6
Javaris was in a relationship with Draya Michele, a model and reality TV star known for appearing on Basketball Wives LA.
Their relationship lasted from April 2008 to September 2008, a short five-month period.
Later on, during his legal troubles, it was revealed that he had a long-planned trip to Los Angeles to visit his ex-girlfriend, Mia Fields.
She even testified in court, saying that Crittenton looked completely shocked and scared when he found out he was being charged in the shooting case.
According to her, he said he didn’t do it and couldn’t believe he was being blamed.
Next in 2011, Javaris Crittenton, the former NBA player already facing a murder charge, was accused of physically abusing the mother of his newborn child, Tyress Daniels.
Daniels confessed that Crittenton was violent with her three times, including once while she was pregnant, and again just one day after she gave birth.
She claimed the first incident happened in a hotel room during her pregnancy, where he allegedly assaulted her.
The most disturbing report came from November 1, 2011, when Daniels said Crittenton slapped her in the face during an argument while she was breastfeeding their 1-day-old baby.
The fight was reportedly about what clothes the baby would wear for pictures.
Daniels admitted that he got angry, hit her, and then tried to take the baby, but hospital security stopped him and kicked him out of the room.
Later that month, on November 26, Daniels says he became violent again, scratching her face and splitting her lip.
She also said he sent her a threatening message afterward, saying she would end up like her late mother and that he planned to take their child.
After she filed her complaint, a judge granted Daniels temporary custody of the baby and issued a restraining order, requiring Crittenton to stay at least 100 yards away from both her and the child.
These days, Javaris Crittenton spends most of his time with his daughter Saniyah and two sons, Jay and Jayce.
Whether celebrating birthdays or enjoying simple family dinners, he’s been focusing more on being present in their lives.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Javaris Crittenton was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Sonya Dixon.
- He attended Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy for high school, where he played basketball and stood out as a top player.
- In his sophomore year, he teamed up with NBA star Dwight Howard, and together, they helped their school win the state championship in Georgia’s Class A division.
