Shaq was embroiled in a sex scandal involving another player’s wife.

Shaquille O’Neal, Gilbert Arenas and Laura Govan (Via E News)

Shaquille O’Neal and Laura Govan, the wife of former Wizards player Gilbert Arenas, were allegedly having an affair in 2010, per the widespread allegations which surfaced. When Shaq’s wife Shaunie accused him of having an affair with her, Govan and Arenas were already married.

Shaquille O’Neal garnered media attention in 2010 because of both his performance and personal life. His connection with Laura Govan, the wife of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, was the subject of numerous speculations by fans at the time.

Their relationship has been the subject of a lot of suspicion in the past, particularly while Shaq was still married. Shaunie O’Neal, an executive producer of the show Basketball Wives, made this severe accusation of infidelity against Shaq. Rumors at the time said that Shaq and Laura Govan lasted for more than a year.

Gilbert Arenas and Shaquille O’Neal in the NBA

Gilbert Arenas was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft and after showing some early promise, it was with the Washington Wizards that he really started to gain prominence. He spent seven and a half seasons with the franchise, appearing in all three All-Star Games, being named to two All-NBA Third Team squads, being nominated for an All-NBA Second Team spot, and earning the NBA Most Improved Award.

He earned the nickname “Agent 0” and was one of the league’s leading scorers at the time. He assisted the team in four playoff trips, including one in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Gilbert Arenas, Shaquille O’Neal (Via TMZ)

Shaquille O’Neal was widely regarded as the NBA’s most dominant player in its 75-year existence. He won several honors over his 19 seasons in the league, including MVP and Rookie of the Year. O’Neal also captured four NBA titles, three MVP honors from the NBA Finals, and three MVP awards overall.

O’Neal joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, and from 2000 to 2003, he guided them to three straight NBA titles. In the 2006 NBA Finals, he made a comeback and assisted the Miami Heat in capturing their first NBA championship. He was selected for the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams, and in 2016 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

O’Neal’s alleged relationship with Laura Govan

In 2010, Shaunie O’Neal claimed that Shaq had cheated on her with Laura Govan, another Basketball Wives contestant. Gilbert Arenas, who was the star scorer for the Wizards at the time, and Govan were previously married, although they were now divorcing.

Shaquille O’Neal (Via ESPN)

In an interview later that year, Laura clarified the situation and emphatically refuted the accusations, along with her reasoning, in a hilarious way. Govan in the interview stated: “Hell no! Have you seen his feet? How you gon’ sleep with somebody who has feet like that? Like, I’ve seen him in his sandals. I love Shaquille to death but I would never get down with Shaquille.”

Long after allegations of Shaq’s extramarital affair first surfaced, Shaunie and Gloria’s relationship was at odds. Shaunie and Shaquille O’Neal are currently enjoying their fresh beginning and moving on with their lives.