Anthony Davis has made a name for himself as one of the most dominant forces in the NBA, but off the court, his life revolves around his family. He married Marlen Polanco Davis on September 18, 2021, in a star-studded ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel in California, attended by big names like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and even Adele. But their love story started long before they walked down the aisle. While the exact details of their early romance are private, they’ve been together since at least 2017, when they welcomed their first child.
Who Is Anthony Davis’ Wife, Marlen Polanco Davis?
Anthony Davis and Marlen Polanco Davis, together since at least 2017, officially became husband and wife on September 18, 2021. They share three children—daughter Nala, born November 1, 2017, and two sons, one arriving before their wedding and the other in the summer of 2022.
Marlen, a woman of Dominican descent, has kept a low profile despite being married to one of basketball’s biggest stars. She’s notoriously private, avoiding public social media and rarely appearing in the limelight. Even when she and Anthony made their red carpet debut at the Vanity Fair Oscars Afterparty on February 9, 2020, she maintained a quiet presence. She stunned in a cream-colored gown with a thigh-high slit, while Anthony looked sharp in a black suit. Despite her private nature, she’s always been a strong support system for her husband, standing by his side through the ups and downs of his career.
The couple’s first child, a daughter named Nala, was born on November 1, 2017. She’s made several public appearances with her father, including an adorable moment in May 2021 when she sat patiently on his lap during a post-game interview. One of her most memorable outings was in July 2021, when she accompanied Anthony to the Los Angeles premiere of Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Dressed in a cute outfit and holding a stuffed Bugs Bunny, she stole the show on the purple carpet. Her father, who voiced himself in the film, beamed with pride. Nala has also shared her father’s love for entertainment, showing off her playful personality with a spot-on Bugs Bunny impression during a red carpet interview.
While Nala is the most publicly recognized of Anthony’s children, she’s not his only one. The couple has two sons, though their names and birthdates remain a mystery. What is known is that their first son arrived sometime before their wedding in September 2021, as Anthony confirmed in a June 2021 interview that they had “a son on the way.” He made his first public appearance in March 2023 when he was spotted wearing his dad’s jersey at the Crypto.com Arena.
Their third child, another son, was born in the summer of 2022, which Anthony confirmed during a Spectrum News interview that September. “A girl and two boys now, so I got a team,” he joked. “I’m outnumbered now, we’re outnumbered now.”
Despite their best efforts to keep their sons out of the spotlight, one of them had a brief but memorable public moment during NBA All-Star Weekend in 2024. As Anthony gave an interview, his youngest son sat on his lap, tugging at his jersey and stealing attention. Anthony, an experienced father by this point, handled it with ease, never missing a beat as he answered questions while tending to his little one.
Marlen may avoid the cameras, but her love for her husband and kids is clear. She and Nala appeared in a heartfelt video message when the Lakers celebrated their 2020 NBA Championship, congratulating Anthony on his first ring. “Nala and I are extremely happy and proud to present you tonight with your first ring. We are so proud of you,” she said, her daughter sitting on her lap, smiling. Though she wasn’t physically present in the NBA bubble during the playoffs, her support was always felt.
Family is the foundation of Anthony’s life. He’s often spoken about its importance, once telling Haute Living in 2019, “The greatest luxury in life is family. No matter what you go through, your family is always going to be there.” Even when he’s on the road, playing under the bright lights of the NBA, he knows that Marlen and their children are always cheering him on, whether from the stands or from home. And when he’s not dominating on the court, he’s just a regular dad—taking his daughter to WNBA games, holding his son in the stands, and soaking up every moment with the people who matter most.
