Last Updated on October 9, 2026 by Pedro Salcas
Anthony Davis is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards in the NBA. Born Anthony Marshon Davis Jr. on March 11, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois, he is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished power forwards and centers of his generation. A former NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, Davis has enjoyed a remarkable career that includes multiple NBA All-Star selections and Olympic gold medals.
Beyond his basketball achievements, Anthony Davis is a devoted family man. He is married to Marlen Polanco Davis, with whom he shares three children: a daughter named Nala and two younger sons. His parents are Anthony Davis Sr. and Erainer Davis, while his siblings include his twin sister, Antoinette Davis, and his older sister, Iesha Davis. His family has played an important role in his development, from his childhood on Chicago’s South Side to his success in professional basketball.
Anthony Davis’s Wife: Who Is Marlen Polanco Davis?
Anthony Davis is married to Marlen Polanco Davis, a private individual who has been his longtime romantic partner and the mother of his three children. Although Davis is one of the NBA’s most recognizable players, his wife generally prefers to stay away from the public spotlight.
The couple began their relationship no later than 2017, the year they welcomed their first child together. Their relationship became more widely known as Davis developed into an NBA superstar with the New Orleans Pelicans and later joined the Los Angeles Lakers.
Marlen has occasionally accompanied her husband to public events, including the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscars Afterparty, where they made one of their first major red-carpet appearances together.
Despite her husband’s celebrity status, Marlen maintains a relatively private lifestyle. She does not operate widely accessible public social media accounts and rarely gives interviews about her personal life.
She has nevertheless supported Davis throughout important moments in his professional career, including the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship victory.
Following that championship, Marlen and their daughter Nala appeared in a congratulatory video celebrating Davis’s achievement. Their appearance highlighted the importance of family in his life and the emotional significance of winning his first NBA title.
When Did Anthony Davis and Marlen Polanco Get Married?
Anthony Davis and Marlen Polanco married on September 18, 2021, in a lavish wedding ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
The celebration brought together relatives, friends, and several prominent figures from the basketball and entertainment industries.
Among the notable guests were LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Adele, and sports agent Rich Paul. Davis’s former University of Kentucky coach, John Calipari, also attended the ceremony.
Marlen wore an elegant wedding gown designed by Australian bridal brand Nektaria, while Davis appeared in formal attire for the occasion.
The ceremony was followed by a reception during which Davis surprised guests by singing a romantic song to his new wife.
The wedding marked an important milestone for the couple, who had already started raising their family together before officially marrying.
As of now, Anthony Davis and Marlen Polanco Davis remain publicly recognized as a married couple with three children.
Anthony Davis’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Anthony Davis has three children with his wife, Marlen Polanco Davis. The couple has one daughter, Nala Davis, and two younger sons whose names have not been widely disclosed.
Although Davis occasionally brings his children to basketball games and public appearances, he generally protects their privacy.
Nala Davis: Anthony Davis’s Daughter
Nala Davis is Anthony Davis’s eldest child and only publicly known daughter. She was born on November 1, 2017, several years before her parents married.
Nala has appeared alongside her father at important moments throughout his basketball career. She became particularly recognizable to Lakers fans after joining him during postgame interviews and public celebrations.
In May 2021, Nala sat on her father’s lap during a postgame interview, attracting attention from basketball fans who enjoyed seeing a more personal side of the NBA star.
She also accompanied Davis to the July 2021 premiere of Space Jam: A New Legacy, a basketball-themed film featuring LeBron James.
During the event, Nala appeared on the purple carpet with her father while carrying a Bugs Bunny stuffed toy.
The public appearance reflected Davis’s close relationship with his daughter and his willingness to include her in selected professional milestones.
Anthony Davis’s First Son
Anthony Davis and Marlen welcomed their first son around 2021. During a public appearance in June of that year, Davis revealed that the couple was expecting a baby boy.
Their son was subsequently seen with Davis during an NBA game in March 2023, when the basketball player held him while wearing a Lakers jersey.
Unlike their daughter Nala, the couple has chosen not to widely disclose their son’s name or exact birth date.
This decision is consistent with their generally private approach to raising their children.
Anthony Davis’s Youngest Son
Anthony Davis and his wife welcomed another son during the summer of 2022, bringing their total number of children to three.
During an interview with Spectrum News in September 2022, Davis confirmed the arrival of his youngest child and expressed his happiness about expanding the family.
He explained that he and Marlen were now raising one daughter and two sons, joking about having enough children to form a small basketball team.
His youngest son has occasionally appeared alongside him at NBA events, including during the 2024 NBA All-Star weekend.
However, Davis and his wife have not widely revealed the child’s full name or exact birth date.
As of now, Anthony Davis has three publicly confirmed children: Nala and two sons.
Anthony Davis’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Anthony Davis was born to Anthony Davis Sr. and Erainer Davis in Chicago, Illinois. His parents raised him and his two sisters on the city’s South Side, where they encouraged education, discipline, and involvement in sports.
Both parents are notably tall. Anthony Davis Sr. stands approximately 6 feet 3 inches, while Erainer Davis is around 6 feet 1 inch tall.
Their height contributed to the family’s strong physical presence, although Davis’s own extraordinary growth eventually made him considerably taller than either parent.
Anthony Davis’s Father: Anthony Davis Sr.
Anthony Davis Sr., whose full name is Anthony Marshon Davis Sr., is the father of the NBA superstar and one of the most influential people in his early development.
He worked as a carpenter and played an important role in introducing his children to basketball.
According to reporting by Sports Illustrated, Davis Sr. built a full-length basketball court in the backyard of the family’s Chicago home. He wanted his children to have a safe environment where they could practice without needing to travel to potentially dangerous areas of their neighborhood.
The court became an important part of Anthony’s childhood, providing opportunities to improve his basketball abilities alongside his siblings.
His father also emphasized loyalty and perseverance. When Anthony began attracting attention as a high school basketball prospect, there were suggestions that he should transfer to a more prominent basketball program.
However, Davis Sr. encouraged his son to remain at Perspectives Charter School in Chicago, believing that talented players could succeed regardless of where they attended school.
The decision became an important part of Anthony’s development. He remained at Perspectives, continued improving his basketball skills, and eventually became one of the country’s most highly recruited high school players.
Anthony Sr. was present when his son was selected first overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets.
He also supported Davis during the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship run in 2020, traveling to the NBA’s Orlando bubble to watch him compete in the Finals.
After Davis helped the Lakers defeat the Miami Heat to win the championship, father and son shared an emotional moment celebrating the achievement.
Throughout his career, Davis has described his father as both a strong supporter and an honest critic who encourages him to maintain high standards.
Anthony Davis’s Mother: Erainer Davis
Erainer Davis is Anthony Davis’s mother and another central figure in his personal and professional life.
She raised Anthony and his two sisters in Chicago alongside her husband, helping create a stable family environment that emphasized education, responsibility, and athletic participation.
Erainer has remained exceptionally close to her son throughout his life. Davis has publicly described himself as a mother’s boy and expressed appreciation for the sacrifices she made during his childhood.
During a Mother’s Day message released by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017, Davis spoke about his strong emotional connection with his mother and the importance of their relationship.
Erainer was particularly attentive during his teenage years, when Anthony experienced a remarkable growth spurt.
His rapid physical development meant that the family frequently needed to purchase new clothing and make adjustments to accommodate his increasing height.
She also supported his basketball ambitions, attending games and helping him navigate the transition from high school to the University of Kentucky.
When Anthony was selected first overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, Erainer sat beside him and celebrated the achievement with the rest of the family.
Her support continued during his professional career. In 2020, she traveled to Orlando with Anthony Davis Sr. to support their son during the Lakers’ NBA Finals appearance.
According to People magazine, Erainer has also maintained family traditions involving preparing her son’s favorite meals and baking chocolate chip cookies when visiting him.
In March 2024, she and her husband surprised Davis with a birthday cake following a Lakers victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The moment highlighted the close relationship that has continued between Davis and his parents despite his success and demanding professional schedule.
Anthony Davis’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers and Sisters?
Anthony Davis has two sisters: his twin sister, Antoinette Davis, and his older sister, Iesha Davis, whose name is sometimes written as Lesha Davis in basketball biographies.
Both sisters grew up with Anthony in Chicago and shared the family’s interest in sports.
Antoinette Davis: Anthony Davis’s Twin Sister
Antoinette Davis is Anthony Davis’s twin sister. The siblings were born on March 11, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois.
Although Anthony eventually became a professional basketball superstar, Antoinette has largely maintained a private life away from media attention.
The twins grew up together on Chicago’s South Side and attended Perspectives Charter School, where their parents encouraged them to balance education with extracurricular activities.
Basketball was an important part of the Davis household, and the backyard court built by their father provided opportunities for the siblings to spend time together while developing their athletic skills.
Antoinette also witnessed Anthony’s transformation from a relatively unknown high school basketball player into one of the nation’s leading prospects.
Unlike her brother, she has not pursued a widely documented professional basketball career.
There is limited verified public information about Antoinette’s career, marriage, or children, as she generally stays outside the spotlight.
Iesha Davis: Anthony Davis’s Older Sister
Iesha Davis, also identified as Lesha Davis in some published player biographies, is Anthony Davis’s older sister.
Like her younger siblings, she grew up in Chicago and attended Perspectives Charter School.
Iesha also developed an interest in basketball and continued playing the sport at the college level.
According to biographical information about Anthony Davis, she played college basketball at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago.
Her involvement in basketball contributed to the sporting environment in which Anthony grew up.
With multiple family members participating in the sport, basketball became a regular part of the Davis household long before Anthony reached the NBA.
Iesha has generally maintained a private life, and there is limited reliable public information about her current profession and personal relationships.
How Anthony Davis’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career
Anthony Davis’s journey to NBA stardom began in Chicago, where his parents encouraged him to pursue basketball while remaining committed to his education.
He attended Perspectives Charter School, a small institution that initially lacked the basketball facilities and national exposure enjoyed by more established high school programs.
Despite these disadvantages, Davis continued developing his game and experienced a remarkable growth spurt during his teenage years.
His increasing height, combined with skills developed while playing guard, helped him become an unusually versatile basketball prospect.
By his senior year, he had established himself as one of the most highly regarded high school players in the United States.
Davis subsequently committed to the University of Kentucky, where he played under head coach John Calipari during the 2011-12 season.
He quickly became one of college basketball’s most dominant players, earning numerous national awards and helping Kentucky win the 2012 NCAA championship.
After one season in college, he entered the 2012 NBA Draft and was selected first overall by the New Orleans Hornets, later renamed the Pelicans.
He developed into an NBA superstar in New Orleans before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019.
In 2020, Davis helped the Lakers win the NBA championship alongside LeBron James, achieving one of the most important milestones of his professional career.
He later played for the Dallas Mavericks before joining the Washington Wizards in February 2026.
Throughout these transitions, Davis has repeatedly emphasized the importance of family support in helping him manage the pressures associated with professional basketball.
His parents provided the foundation for his athletic development, while his wife and children have become an important part of his personal life away from the basketball court.
Anthony Davis’s Family and Community Involvement
Anthony Davis’s family has also influenced his commitment to charitable activities and community service.
During his time with the New Orleans Pelicans, Davis supported several initiatives designed to provide opportunities for children and families facing difficult circumstances.
In 2014, he established AD’s Flight Academy, an organization focused on helping young people through education, athletics, and community programs.
His family has participated in charitable events, including activities supporting people experiencing homelessness in New Orleans.
In 2016, Davis received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for his charitable contributions.
He has credited his parents and relatives with teaching him the importance of helping others and using his professional success to support communities.
These values have remained part of his public identity as an NBA player and father.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony Davis’s Family
Who is Anthony Davis’s girlfriend?
Anthony Davis is married to Marlen Polanco Davis. She was his longtime girlfriend before they married on September 18, 2021.
Who is Anthony Davis’s wife?
Anthony Davis’s wife is Marlen Polanco Davis. The couple has been married since September 2021 and shares three children.
How many children does Anthony Davis have?
Anthony Davis has three children: one daughter named Nala Davis and two younger sons.
Who is Anthony Davis’s daughter?
His daughter is Nala Davis, who was born on November 1, 2017. She is his eldest child.
Does Anthony Davis have sons?
Yes. Anthony Davis has two sons with his wife, Marlen. The family has not widely disclosed their full names.
Who are Anthony Davis’s parents?
Anthony Davis’s parents are Anthony Davis Sr. and Erainer Davis. They raised him and his two sisters in Chicago, Illinois.
Who is Anthony Davis’s father?
His father is Anthony Marshon Davis Sr., a former carpenter who built a basketball court at the family’s home and played an important role in Anthony’s development.
Who is Anthony Davis’s mother?
His mother is Erainer Davis, who has supported his basketball career from childhood and maintains a close relationship with him.
Does Anthony Davis have a twin sister?
Yes. Anthony Davis has a twin sister named Antoinette Davis. They were both born on March 11, 1993.
How many siblings does Anthony Davis have?
Anthony Davis has two sisters: his twin sister, Antoinette Davis, and his older sister, Iesha Davis, also referred to as Lesha Davis in some biographies.
Does Anthony Davis have a brother?
No brother has been identified in reliable biographies of Anthony Davis. His two documented siblings are his sisters, Antoinette and Iesha.
Where is Anthony Davis’s family from?
Anthony Davis was born and raised on Chicago’s South Side in Illinois, where his parents and sisters lived during his childhood.
What team does Anthony Davis play for?
As of now, Anthony Davis plays for the Washington Wizards, having joined the franchise in February 2026 after a trade from the Dallas Mavericks.
Pedro Salcas is a dedicated sports journalist and NBA specialist focused on team strategy, player performance, and league news. Tracking action across the Eastern and Western Conferences, he breaks down complex game tape, roster moves, and statistics into clear, engaging analysis. From preseason storylines to deep playoff runs, Pedro brings a sharp analytical perspective and passion for basketball to keep readers informed on everything happening in the NBA.
