Laura Govan aims to discuss with Shaunie O’Neal before responding to Shaq rumors

Back in 2009, Laura Govan, who had a relationship with former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, was accused of having an affair with Shaquille O'Neal. At the time, Shaq was with Shaunie O'Neal.

Shaunie and Laura Govan both appeared on Basketball Wives together and had a good relationship, until rumors of Govan and O'Neal having an affair went viral.

To date, it's not clear what exactly happened, with Gilbert Arenas saying in a 2023 episode of Gil's Arena that Shaq allegedly had an affair with Govan.

However, in an interview with Carlos King, Laura Govan made it clear that the story as we know it may not be entirely true. During an hour-long sitdown with Govan, King asked whether she actually had an affair with Shaq, or whether she took the fall for her sister.

"I won’t comment on this until I speak with Shaunie, the person who started these rumors. When she’s ready for a real, woman-to-woman conversation, I’ll set the record straight. Not only will you hear my side of the story, but I’ll also share some truths about Shaunie, okay?"

You can see the conversation at the start of the video above.

"I'm gonna end up alone" - Shaquille O'Neal believes he's not destined for companionship after split from Shaunie O'Neal

After splitting for the first time in 2007, Shaq and Shaunie O'Neal wound up splitting again in 2009 amid rumors that he had an affair with Laura Govan.

Two years later, the pair wound up divorcing for good, with the four-time champ and Hall of Famer saying that his failed marriage was one of his biggest regrets.

In a 2024 interview with PEOPLE, O'Neal said that his relationship with Shaunie was the perfect situation, however, he messed it up. Now, as he explained during an appearance on Angel Reese's podcast "Unapologetically Angel", he believes he'll wind up alone.

“I’m gonna end up alone. I already know. Because ... ya’ll be makin’ rules up as we go along. There is no handbook on how to be the perfect man or perfect husband. I know it — there ain’t no handbook, and ya’ll be makin’ up s— without tellin’ us.

"If I’m not physically seein’ somebody ... and I’m with you every day and you know my schedule, shouldn’t matter what I’m doin’ on my phone. It’s not cheating, and then you can’t tell me, ‘That’s worse than cheating.’ Nah — it’s not. I just don’t understand that. So, but I already know imma end up bein’ alone.”

Since his split from Shaunie, Shaq has been involved in a number of relationships, most recently acknowledging a rumored relationship with actress Annie Ilonzeh last year. Despite that, it sounds like O'Neal has no plans of getting married again.