Javaris Crittenton’s NBA career was a fleeting glimpse of potential derailed by poor choices. Drafted 19th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007, the explosive point guard showcased flashes of brilliance during his time at Georgia Tech. His speed and skills earned him stints with the Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Wizards. Yet, despite his talent, Crittenton never created his place in the league. His downfall began with the 2009 locker room gun incident with Arenas, resulting in a season-long suspension. But that was only the start; what followed was far darker.

Javaris Crittenton’s life spiraled further when, in 2011, authorities arrested him for the fatal shooting of Julian Jones. A 22-year-old mother of four, in an alleged act of retaliation. The tragedy marked the end of his basketball dreams. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault in 2015, receiving a 23-year sentence. After serving a reduced 10-year term, he was released in April 2023. Once a rising star, Crittenton’s story reminds us how quickly wrong choices can overshadow talent. But beyond these, he has a life away from the horror.

Javaris Crittenton’s conjugal family

Javaris Crittenton has kept his personal life largely out of the spotlight, with little confirmed information about his romantic relationships. During his NBA days in 2008, he was briefly linked to reality TV star Draya Michele, but the relationship didn’t appear to last long. Since then, there have been no verified reports about marriage or serious relationships. However, he does have 3 children. Two younger boys and an older girl. His firstborn’s name is Saniyah King. She plays college basketball at Mississippi State University. Through her socials, Saniyah seems to be close-knit with her maternal grandparents and mother @sincerelystace_ whose real name seems to be hidden.

However, we think that Saniyah’s mother and Javaris Crittenton might or might not be in a relationship because of the lack of any concrete evidence. His two younger boys are Jaylend and Cross Jayce Crittenton, a teenager and a 33-week-old baby, respectively. It appears that they might be step-siblings of Saniyah King. Jaylend, famously called Baby Jay, is a #Halloweenbaby, as Crittenton puts it. Even though the public appearance or involvement of the boys’ mother is unknown, through his Instagram, Crittenton seems to be raising them with love and discipline.

Growing up in Atlanta, Crittenton was instilled with strong values of education and community involvement. His mother played a pivotal role in his development, pushing him to succeed both academically and athletically. This foundation helped him thrive at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, where his basketball talent began to shine, eventually leading him to Georgia Tech. Despite the struggles he would face later in life, his early years were defined by family support. It played a key role in his initial rise toward an NBA career. So let’s know about his birth family.

Meet Javaris Crittenton’s birth family

Javaris Crittenton was born on December 31, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Sonya Dixon. Sonya was like a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her family. Raised primarily by his mother in the city’s southwest neighborhoods, young Javaris grew up surrounded by a tight-knit matriarchal support system that included his grandmother and several aunts. His father, James Crittenton Jr., was largely absent from his life, leaving Sonya to shoulder both the financial and emotional responsibilities of raising him and his siblings. Crittenton has two siblings: an older brother, Rashad, and a sister, Shaniya Lee.

We wonder why there are such less public records of the women in Jarvis’s family. Either they aren’t that tightly bonded, or Javaris might be aiming to protect them from the public backlash women receive. Especially when their father/husband/partner is an ex-convict in the public eye. Such incidents aren’t unknown or uncommon.

From beloved Stephen Curry’s wife Ayesha Curry being the “Most hated NBA wife” to Larsa Pippen, Kim Kardashian, Erin Barry, and Brittany Renner. All of these women have been victims of cyber hate crimes at some point. We hope to build this world into a place where not just Javaris Crittenton, but no person, has to hide the identity of their parents, kids, or spouses.