Ray Allen, an American former professional basketball player, is married to his wife, Shannon Walker Williams, who is a singer and actress.
Born on July 20, 1975, in Merced, California, Allen excelled as a shooting guard in the NBA for 18 seasons before retiring.
During his college years at the University of Connecticut (1993-1996), Ray Allen won Big East Player of the Year and led the Huskies to three straight Big East titles.
Starting his NBA career in 1996, Allen was initially drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves but was quickly traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
His early years with the Bucks showcased his scoring ability, especially from beyond the three-point line.
On February 10, 1999, Allen signed a six-year, $70.9 million extension with the Bucks, making him the highest-paid player in the franchise’s history at that time.
In 2001, he set a new record for the most three-pointers made in a season, a record that stood until Stephen Curry broke it.
In July 2005, Allen secured a five-year, $85 million contract with the SuperSonics.
With the team, he reached a career-high, breaking records such as the most three-pointers made in a season.
He was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007, where he formed the “Big Three” alongside Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. This trio led the Celtics to an NBA Championship in 2008.
Allen then joined the Miami Heat in 2012 and played a pivotal role in their 2013 NBA Championship win, thanks to his iconic game-tying three-pointer in Game 6 of the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
On November 1, 2016, he decided to retire officially and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2018.
He earned recognition for his illustrious career with ten NBA All-Star appearances and two All-NBA team selections, among other accolades.
Ray Allen And Shannon Walker Williams Celebrate Over A Decade Together
Retired NBA star Ray Allen married Shannon Walker Williams on August 16, 2008, after dating for four years since 2004.
The couple first met in 1996 at a New York restaurant.
At the time, Ray was an All-American basketball player at the University of Connecticut, while Shannon’s singing group, Shades (signed to Motown Records), had just released their debut single.
When they started dating, Shannon shared the news with her father, who was thrilled as he was both a fan of UConn and Ray Allen.
Ray and Shannon are proud parents of four sons. Their first son, Walter Ray Allen III, was born in 2004, and their second son, Walker Reese Allen, followed in 2006 – both arriving before their marriage in 2008.
After tying the knot, the couple expanded their family with two more sons. Wynn Ryder Allen was born in 2009, a year after their wedding, and their youngest, Wynstan Ryan Allen, arrived in 2012.
In addition to their sons, Ray has a daughter, Tierra, from a previous relationship with Rosalind Ramsey.
Though Shannon is not Tierra’s biological mother, she has embraced her as part of their family.
Shannon Walker Williams Co-Founded ‘Shades’ and Pursued Acting and Culinary Ventures
Shannon Walker Williams, born on November 15, 1974, in Miami, Florida, is an American actress, singer, and entrepreneur.
She is the daughter of William and Jeannie Williams. Shannon graduated from Mercy High School in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1992.
During her time at Northeastern University, Shannon co-founded the R&B group ‘Shades‘ with Danielle Andrews, Tiffanie Cardwell, and Monique Peoples.
Motown Records then signed the group, and they released their self-titled debut album in 1997.
Their lead single, “Tell Me (I’ll Be Around),” reached number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Transitioning to acting, her notable roles include Veronica in “Girlfight” (2000), Young Black Woman in “Bamboozled” (2000), and Diane in “Britney, Baby, One More Time” (2002).
She also had roles in TV series such as “As the World Turns” and “Century City.”
An entrepreneur, she also launched “Grown,” a fast-food restaurant emphasizing organic and nutritious meals.
In addition, she has also hosted a cooking show titled “Pre-Game Meal,” where she invited athletes to showcase their healthy cooking skills.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Ray Allen is one of five children born to parents Walter Sr. and Flora Allen.
- In May 2023, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies from UConn.
- On March 27, 2018, he released his autobiography titled “From the Outside.”
