The former NBA player opens up about what really happened between him and the reality TV star
Rashad McCants is clearing the air about his brief romance with Khloé Kardashian, and he says the connection was never as deep as fans assumed. The former NBA player, 41, addressed his 2008–2009 relationship with the Good American founder during a recent sit-down on the TFU Podcast, offering a candid look back at a pairing that unfolded just as social media was reshaping celebrity relationships.
How Their Relationship Started
McCants was introduced to Khloé, now 42, through her older sister Kim Kardashian’s then-boyfriend, Reggie Bush. The two dated for roughly seven months, a period McCants described as more transactional than romantic. According to him, the arrangement suited both parties at the time — each was navigating personal and professional goals, and the relationship offered mutual benefit rather than genuine emotional investment.
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The Facebook Status Update That Caused Friction
Their romance played out during the early days of Facebook, when relationship statuses carried real social weight. McCants recalled updating his status to “It’s complicated,” a decision that reportedly caught Khloé’s attention and prompted her to question his motives. He explained that the label reflected the nature of their connection — one rooted in convenience rather than commitment. McCants also indicated his interest may have leaned elsewhere within the family circle, further underscoring that his feelings for Khloé were never romantic in nature.
Balancing Multiple Relationships at Once
McCants didn’t shy away from admitting he was juggling other connections during that period. He described trying to keep things low-key with other women while still being seen publicly with Khloé, holding hands but avoiding anything more serious. Eventually, he said, the situation became too complicated to maintain, prompting him to step back entirely.
Addressing the “Kardashian Curse”
Shortly after their split, McCants’ NBA career came to an unexpected halt, fueling speculation about the so-called “Kardashian Curse” — a theory some fans use to explain career or personal setbacks following relationships with members of the famous family. When asked about it directly, McCants brushed off the notion, joking that he didn’t feel cursed so much as freed. He pointed to other high-profile exes, including Lamar Odom and Kanye West, suggesting they’d have more insight into whether the “curse” holds any weight.
A Relationship Rooted in Timing, Not Romance
Looking back, McCants’ comments paint the relationship as a product of circumstance — two people connected through mutual social ties, navigating fame, timing and personal ambition rather than a deep romantic bond. His remarks add a new layer to the ongoing public fascination with Khloé’s past relationships, offering fans a rare, retrospective glimpse from someone who was there before the reality star became the household name she is today.
While Khloé has not publicly responded to McCants’ recent comments, his remarks join a long list of retrospective takes from her former partners, each adding context to a chapter of her life that predates much of her Keeping Up with the Kardashians fame.
Source: In Touch
