Matt Barnes is a veteran professional basketball player from the United States who played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The Memphis Grizzlies selected Barnes in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft. In his final season with the league, he won an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors.
As a player, Barnes is despised as an opponent. However, he is adored as a teammate. He’s a bad guy renowned for his fierce dedication to his buddies.
Everybody enjoys playing with Matt or playing against him.
Barnes famously faked tossing an inbound ball right at Kobe Bryant’s head, and Bryant famously did not flinch. To put it plainly, they didn’t get along. Then Barnes joined the Lakers, and everything changed.
Similarly, Barnes was despised by DeAndre Jordan. Jordan, on the other hand, enjoyed playing alongside Barnes when he became a Clipper. That’s how Barnes operates.
In this article, we have included all of the information we have about Matt Barnes.
So, be sure to read the article all the way to the end to learn everything there is to know about the former NBA player.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Matthew Kelly Barnes |
| Birth Date | March 9, 1980 |
| Birth Place | Santa Clara, California. |
| Nick Name | Bubs |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Education |
|
| Playing Career | 2002 – 2017 |
| Zodiac | Pisces |
| Chinese Zodiac | Monkey |
| Father’s Name | Henry Barnes |
| Mother’s Name | Ann Barnes |
| Siblings | Jason Barnes, Dannielle Barnes |
| Age | 44 years old |
| Height | 6 feet 7 inches |
| Weight | 103 kg |
| NBA Draft | 2002 |
| Shoots | Right |
| Tattoos | Yes |
| Food Habits | Non-vegeterian |
| Points | 7,589 (8.2 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 4,281 (4.6 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,691 (1.8 apg) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Career Highlights | NBA champion (2017) |
| Build | Athletic |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Wife | Gloria Govan |
| Girlfriend | Anansa Sims |
| Jersey Number | 9, 21, 22 |
| Position | Small forward, Shooting guard |
| Profession | Basketball player |
| League | NBA |
| Net Worth | $13 Million |
| Annual Salary | Under Review |
| Social Media | |
| Merch | Addicted to Kill (Kindle Edition) |
| Last Update | March 2024 |
Matt Barnes: Early Life and Family
The basketball player, Matt Barnes, was born on March 9, 1980, in Santa Clara, California. His mother was white, whereas his father was an African American.
He had a very close relationship, especially with his mother. Ann Barnes, his mother died on November 27, 2007, after being diagnosed with lung cancer on November 1, 2007.
The player found out about his mother’s illness soon before the Golden State Warriors’ season opening that year. She passed away 26 days later.
As a matter of fact, the right side of the player’s body is covered with a tattoo of a big scroll with a vine of flowers running beside it. Inside the scroll, the words RIP are inscribed.
The word “Mother” is tattooed vertically on the left side of his torso. Together, the tattoos spell out “RIP Mother.”
This tattoo was done as a homage to his mother, Ann Barnes, who died of cancer in 2007.
Matt also has a massive tattoo on his tummy of an angel sitting with her wings spread and her hands united in prayer.
The angel also represents Matt’s mother. The player opted to get another tattoo to memorialize his mother when he was on leave due to injuries.
Matt Barnes: Education
Matt attended Del Campo High School located in Fair Oaks, California. For his further education, the player joined the University of California, Los Angeles in 1998. Matt graduated in 2002.
Racism
Growing up bi-racial, being half Italian and black, Matt was no stranger to racism. The player faced racism at a very early age. It boiled over in high school, to the point where someone was calling his sister a n—–r.
The player got into a fight right after that, and a day-and-a-half later, the KKK vandalized his whole school. They burned down a bathroom and it made national news.
Matt says that he learned at an early age, and even though he was very proud to be mixed, he was looked at as a black man.
Barnes, a basketball and football standout at Del Campo High School, graduated in 1998. He was already on his way to UCLA on a scholarship, and he was just a few months away from beginning his 14-year NBA career.
However, the player’s achievements didn’t stop racist attacks against him. For instance, once someone spray-painted “Matt Barnes Die” on his high school walls.
Professional Basketball Career
The Memphis Grizzlies chose Barnes with the 46th overall choice in the 2002 NBA draft. However, Matt was immediately traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with Nick Anderson, for Wesley Person.
After being sent to the NBA D-League by the Cavaliers, he joined the Fayetteville Patriots for the 2002–03 season.
Matt joined the ABA’s Long Beach Jam for their debut season in 2003 when he played with Dennis Rodman. The squad won the ABA Championship with a record of 24–7.
Matt signed with the Sacramento Kings in October 2004. However, he was moved to the Philadelphia 76ers midway through the 2004–05 season.
Barnes joined the New York Knicks as a free agent in October 2005. Despite an excellent preseason and the retirement of Allan Houston, he was dismissed by the Knicks after only six games.
Matt was claimed by the 76ers for a second stay in Philly, where he ended the 2005–06 season.
The player joined the Golden State Warriors before their first day of training camp in October 2006 and has significantly elevated his reputation in the league since then.
Matt signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns on July 22, 2008. A year later, the player signed a two-year contract with the Orlando Magic on July 23, 2009.
Further, the player signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on July 23, 2010. Barnes agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Clippers in September of 2012.
Following that, Barnes and Spencer Hawes were traded to the Charlotte Hornets on June 15, 2015.
For the 2016-17 season, the player returned to the Sacramento Kings and for his last season in the NBA, the player played with the Golden State Warriors.
Matt Barnes: Fines and Suspension
Matt was banned for one game by the NBA on October 31, 2012, after pleading not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of resisting, delaying, or obstructing a police officer.
Similarly, Barnes was fined $25,000 in November 2013 for failing to leave the court in a timely way following an expulsion in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He was also fined for using his Twitter account during the game which was a violation of NBA regulations.
Likewise, the player was penalized many times during the 2014–15 season. He was fined $25,000 on December 13 for kicking a water bottle and using foul language during a match against the Washington Wizards.
On January 25, 2015, Matt was again fined $25,000 for what was alleged to be obscene language shouted towards a spectator during a game against the Phoenix Suns, however, Barnes claimed it was meant at the Suns’ owner.
The player also paid $50,000 as a fine on May 8 for comments he made to James Harden’s mother during a game against the Houston Rockets.
Further, Matt was banned by the NBA for two games on December 28, 2015, following a violent fight with New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher in October at Barnes’ estranged wife’s house in Southern California.
The National Basketball Players Association filed a grievance on Barnes’ behalf on January 13, 2016, to have his two-game ban without pay revoked.
Moreover, the NBA fined him $35,000 four days later for openly justifying his actions against Fisher in their October altercation.
Matt Barnes: Age and Body Measurements
The former NBA player, Matt Barnes is strong and muscular. The player has an athletic build and weighs roughly 103 kg. Similarly, the athlete stands 6 feet 7 inches tall.
He was born in the year 1980. Therefore, the player is 44 years old. Likewise, his zodiac is Pisces.
Matt Barnes: Tattoos
Matt Barnes has some of the most interesting tattoos you’ll ever see covering half of his body.
For instance, the player has a portrait tattoo of rapper Nipsey Hussle on his left hand. His left hand’s ring finger likewise has a crown tattoo.
Tupac Shakur, another well-known rap musician, is tattooed on the player’s right hand. Matt’s index, middle, and ring fingers are similarly tattooed with various symbols.
Similarly, Matt has the word “Faith” tattooed on the top half of his left wrist. He also has the word “Hope” tattooed on the top side of his right wrist.
The tattoo of a huge cross comprised of fragmented bits connected together may be found on the inner side of the NBA player’s right forearm. The crucifix is surrounded by a quotation that says, “Only God Can Judge Me.”
Matt’s right thigh has a tattoo of his own right arm with his fist closed and a silhouette of people cheering directly below it on the front side.
In the backdrop of his hand on his kneecap, there are tattoos of plants and coconut trees.
Moreover, the tattoos on the far sides of his chest are one-of-a-kind. His right pec has a tattoo of an angel sitting on a cloud, whereas his left pec has a tattoo of the lady devil.
Further, his right pec has the initials “F.T.H.” tattooed on it as well.
Matt Barnes: Girlfriend
The former NBA player is currently in a relationship with Anansa Sims.
The couple frequently posts about each other on social media and showcases their love and support for each other.
Moreover, on the occasion of Matt’s birthday, Anansa wrote:
“Happy Birthday my love @matthewkbarnes 🎂❤️ You are one of the best things that ever happened to me. My best friend, my confidant, my protector, my ride or die, my soulmate, the one I laugh with on my best days and the one I lean on, on my worse days. I’m grateful to have your heart, your love, and our life together…”
Matt Barnes: Ex-Wife and Kids
Matt Barnes was previously married to Gloria Govan. The two have been friends since high school and used to spend the vast majority of their time together.
Furthermore, when Matt began playing basketball, he relocated significantly closer to Gloria Govan’s house. Then things progressed, and they began dating one other.
The pair chose to marry on August 11, 2012. The occasion was quite auspicious. The entire family and close friends of both Matt and Gloria attended the wedding.
Carter Kelly Barnes and Isaiah Michael Barnes, the couple’s twins, were born shortly after their marriage. Everything was going swimmingly at the time.
However, things did not remain the same. Eventually, they started having regular squabbles and disagreements throughout their relationship.
The couple chose to divorce in 2016 after deciding to split. Both Matt and Gloria had custody of their twins. According to the media, Matt had to spend $5000 a month for his twins’ support.
Although the couple is not together currently, Matt has a tattoo on his body that reminds him of Gloria.
The player has the tattoos of the King and Queen cards on the right side of his back, with the name Gloria inscribed on the queen card.
Similarly, the words “La Familia” are scripted over his back, and two little footprints rest at the edge of his neck, a modest homage to his twin boys, born in November 2008.
Matt Barnes: Net Worth
Matt Barnes was a 14-year NBA veteran. During his time in the NBA, he was a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns.
Matt also won an NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors in his final season in the league in 2017. Thus, we can say that the player had a very successful NBA career.
The success also gave him huge monetary benefits. The player has a net worth of $13 million. Most of his net worth comes from his earnings as a professional basketball player.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram: 47.3k followers
- Facebook: 171k followers
- Twitter: 537.6k followers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Matt Barnes’ favorite animal?
Matt Barnes’ favorite animal is Panther. Also, the player has a tattoo of a black panther climbing up on his right upper arm.
Why does Matt have red ribbons tattoo?
Matt has two red ribbons symbols tattooed on his collarbones.
The red ribbon is used to represent and raise awareness for a variety of programs, including HIV/AIDS prevention and drunk driving prevention, among others.
Did Matt Barnes try out NFL?
No, the player, Matt Barnes did not try out NFL. However, the player claims he would have tried out for the NFL if he hadn’t been signed by the Golden State Warriors.
