Alvin Kamara's girlfriend, Te'a Cooper, claimed the football player as her man on Instagram in all caps on his birthday in July 2022. He doubled down on her sweet message by saying he loved her in the comments.
Speculation over whether WNBA's Te'a Cooper is still Alvin Kamara's girlfriend is a game played in the comment sections of their social media platforms. The football player cut off social media access to his private life at the start of 2023.
As of February 2023, the sporty couple is still following each other on social media, even if they no longer appear in content together. Here's what we know about the basketball player and entrepreneur.
Te'a Cooper Comes from an Athletic Family
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara and WNBA player Te'a Cooper pose for photos prior to pace car practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, on June 26, 2022, in Lebanon, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images
on April 16, 1997, to Kindall Cooper and Omar Sr Cooper in Montclair, New Jersey. The sports star is the second of
; her elder sister, Mia Cooper, and twin brothers, Sharife Cooper and Omar Jr Cooper, also inherited their dad's basketball talent.
Seeing people live through hardships while keeping a happy demeanor during her formative years in New Jersey helped form "her mindset and personality." The Cooper clan relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in later years.
Omar Sr was "basically" her basketball coach during high school when she became a standout among much older players. Towards the end of high school, her experience dealing with college recruiters was depicted on MTV's "True Life" in 2014.
B. Simone, Omar Cooper, Te'a Cooper and Sharife Cooper backstage at Lil Baby & Friends in Concert at State Farm Arena, on December 12, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images
the Elinor F. Reed Women's Basketball Scholarship Endowment. She joined the University of Tennessee's Lady Vols, majored in interdisciplinary studies, and later transferred to South Carolina and eventually Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Basketball is more than a sport in the Cooper household -- "It's a lifestyle." The guard explained how the family mantra extended beyond sport to how they dress off the court:
"I think my dad started that. I felt like every time we went somewhere, he always made sure we had, or he had, me too, something new on. I think it is a lifestyle for all of us. Yeah, I think we’re all pretty extra. I guess I can agree to that.”
Te'a shared her love and appreciation for her mother's birthday on January 10, 2013: "Your heart & unconditional love is unmatched." She requested her following of over a million on Instagram to show her "Leo flower child" sister Mia love on her special day, July 31, 2022.
ESPN identified her among the top ten players to watch during the WNBA mock drafts...
The Baylor alum kept her game sharp by practicing with her twin brothers in 2020 during the pandemic uncertainty in the WNBA. She called herself blessed to have Omar Jr and Sharife as brothers on their 21st birthday on June 12, 2022.
Te'a Cooper #20 of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers drives against Breana Bey #23 of the Stetson Hatters in a game at Thompson-Boling Arena, on December 30, 2015, in Knoxville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images
Te'a Cooper's Basketball Career
As a sixth-grader, Te'a’s ball skills had her playing in an Amateur Athletic Union team with eighth and ninth graders. She was named a starter as a freshman in McEachern High School, calling future WNBA stars like Dominique Wilson and Pachis Roberts teammates.
She led her school to three state finals. The young sportswoman was named McDonald's All-American Game Co-MVP and was ranked one of the top guards in the Class of 2015. The MVP held Georgia's Miss Basketball title from 2014 to 2015.
While recovering from a knee injury during her freshman year in college, she kept herself motivated during solo training sessions listening to Jhene Aiko's "W.A.Y.S." on repeat.
Te'a Cooper #2 of the Los Angeles Sparks during a game against the Atlanta Dream on September 16, 2021, at Gateway Center Arena, in College Park, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images
The five-foot-eight star was named Atlanta Journal-Constitution co-player and 6A player of 2015 and Marietta Daily Journal Cobb County's player of the year for two consecutive years.
ESPN identified her among the top ten players to watch during the WNBA mock drafts, and The Phoenix Mercury picked her in April 2020. Weeks after the draft, her contract was waived due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the sport's finances.
While recouping with her family at home, she received a personal call from L.A. Sparks' GM, Michael Fischer, with an offer. At the Sparks, she was once again the rookie amongst more experienced players like Candace Parker, Chelsea Gray, and Nneka Ogwumike.
Dwight Howard and Te'a Cooper outside Nobu, on October 14, 2020, in Malibu, California. | Source: Getty Images
Sparks head coach Derek Fisher praised the
growth during the 2021 season, during which she averaged "9.1 points and 1.4 assists in 31 appearances." Te'a signed her qualifying offer with the team at the start of 2022.
Photographer Laretta Houston shot a stunning Sports Illustrated Swimsuit pictorial of Te'a and a handful of WNBA players like Sparks teammate Ogwumike, and fellow Baylor guard, Didi Richards in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Te'a holds herself to a higher standard on the court and with her wardrobe. Her impeccable style is an extension of her brand, including her company Hollywood Luxury Hair.
Te'a Cooper of the Los Angeles Sparks and Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints look on during the second half between the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks at FTX Arena, on April 8, 2022, in Miami, Florida. | Source: Getty Images
Everything We Know about Alvin Kamara and Te'a Cooper's Relationship
Te'a reportedly married NBA champ Dwight Howard after the Bubble Title in 2020, having dated since she was in college. By early 2021, the couple was through following a very public scandal where he accidentally shared DMs from his wife questioning his fidelity on Instagram Live.
She later went on the same platform to confirm the split and requested that her name no longer be associated with Dwight. By mid-2021, she was linked with a new athlete, NFL runningback Alvin Kamara.
The basketballer was spotted hanging out at Alvin's New Orleans pad. Alvin began 2023 by clearing his Insta grid and sharing this message: "The new vibe is staying private."
Before the blackout of his private life, Alvin and Te'a would share snippets of their couple's travels, partying, and shopping expeditions.
On Valentine's Day 2023, Te'a shared a series of photos where she smiles lovingly at someone just outside the frame, captioned: "Love Personified." The comments were dominated by followers demanding to know the whereabouts of Alvin.
In some of the snaps, her stomach is covered with a giant teddy bear, compounding speculation by supporters that the basketball player is expecting the NFL player's child.
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