NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce Sued in Paternity Case as Woman Demands DNA Test
NBA legend Paul Pierce has been named in a paternity lawsuit in Los Angeles County, California, after a woman alleged he is the father of her unborn child. The lawsuit, filed in mid‑January, seeks a court-ordered DNA test to determine whether the former Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets star is the biological father.
The plaintiff, identified as Princess Santiago, claims she attempted to resolve the matter privately before turning to the legal system. She says the test is necessary for the welfare of her son, whom she names in court documents as King. Santiago reportedly stressed that the lawsuit is about accountability and ensuring the child’s rights are upheld.
Pierce, 48, has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. His legal representatives have declined to provide a statement, and the court has yet to schedule a hearing regarding the DNA test request.
Pierce retired from the NBA in 2017 after a 19-year career, highlighted by a 2008 NBA championship with the Boston Celtics, 10 All-Star selections, and recognition as one of the most clutch players of his generation. He is a father to three children from his marriage to Julie Landrum, which ended in divorce in 2023.
Legal experts note that if the court confirms paternity through a DNA test, the case could progress to include child support and parental rights issues under California family law. Until then, the lawsuit remains in its initial stages, and further proceedings are expected in the coming months.
This development adds to a series of recent legal challenges for Pierce, including a 2025 arrest in California on suspicion of driving under the influence, which is being handled separately.
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