Through the course of his career as an NBA player, and then a coach, Doc Rivers has brought up his father on several instances. In his own words, “My father and Jim Brewer (Rivers’ uncle) are the biggest inspirations in my life. My mom and my dad. But my father was No. 1.” The love and lessons he gained from his father may have been what inspired him to start his own family and be the same kind of parent to his children. Though his marriage didn’t last, Doc Rivers might proudly say he couldn’t be more proud of the children he and his former spouse raised. Together, they built a life he deeply values.

So, without any further ado, let’s learn more about the Bucks head coach’s ex-wife.

Who is Kristen Rivers?

Born as Kristen Lynn Campion in 1961, she grew up as a child in Wisconsin. Kristen has opted to keep details about her family private during her time in the public eye. An Orlando Sentinel report notes that she is the “daughter of a physical therapist from the Milwaukee suburbs.” Furthermore, we also know that she holds American nationality and is white. For her college education, she didn’t choose to travel far and enrolled at Marquee University in Minnesota. As fate would have it, she met the future NBA star during his freshman year there.

Doc and Kristen initially faced some complications in maintaining their relationship. Not due to any issues between them, but because of how the people around them perceived their partnership. According to a report by Distractify, both Doc and Kristen received some “pretty aggressive racist treatment”. This included slashed tires and racist messages written in front of her parents’s home in Wisconsin.

“It was a long time ago, and interracial dating was not all that acceptable. It was the hot talk on campus,” Rivers said. His coach encouraged him to set aside the hate and concentrate solely on his game and his relationship. Doc left college after his junior year due to the unbearable treatment. However, he did play three seasons with the team. This enabled him to create a strong presence and position himself for the NBA draft.

In 1986, after the Atlanta Hawks selected him as the 31st overall pick, Doc married Kristen. The couple would then go on to have a happy marriage for the next three decades. They have three boys and one girl. In 2019, NBA enthusiasts were shocked by the news that the couple, who had endured significant hardship during their college days for being together, had decided to separate. According to a 2020 report by The US Sun, the couple were separated for five years and had been in the divorce process for two of those years.

The reason behind their separation remains unconfirmed. Whatever the reasoning may be, however, the couple is close to their children, all of whom have gone on to create a name for themselves in their respective fields.

Who are Doc Rivers and Kristen’s children?

Doc Rivers and Kristen welcomed their first child, Jeremiah, just a year after their marriage. Two years later, in 1989, they had their only daughter, Callie. Austin Rivers, known to NBA fans, was born in 1992, followed by Spencer Rivers in 1995.

All three of Doc Rivers’ sons went on to pursue careers in basketball, while Callie chose professional volleyball as her path. Seeing his eldest son take an interest in basketball filled Doc with pride. Although his coaching schedule allowed him to attend only a few of Jeremiah’s games, he expressed, “I’m blessed to even see him. I had the biggest grin on my face just to watch him play.” After spending two seasons at Georgetown and another two at Indiana, Jeremiah averaged 2.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over 199 games. While this wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the NBA, he played for the Mega Vizura club in Serbia and later represented the NBA G League’s Maine Red Claws.

Austin Rivers was able to find success where his elder brother wasn’t. After spending a sole season at Duke, the New Orleans Pelicans took him in 2012. Over the next 11 years, he would carve a notable NBA career. He averaged 8.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 707 games with 7 different franchises. While Spencer Rivers also played basketball at UC Irvine for three years, he ultimately decided to pursue coaching like his father.

Believe it or not, but Doc Rivers shares a family connection with Stephen Curry himself! His daughter Callie who, back in 2019, married the Warriors star’s brother Seth. As a result, while things are likely intense on the court, all rivalry is forgotten off court.

Doc Rivers may not have managed to maintain the relationship he fought so hard for during his early days. However, he did end up getting one merry family from it.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.