The majority of females on the E! Network reality television program “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” are enamored with athletes. In fact, excluding Kourtney and Kylie, Kendall Jenner and Kim and Khloé Kardashian have a longstanding history of aggressively pursuing jocks. Kim Kardashian is a twice-divorced woman who got cozy with Kris Humphries, Miles Austin, Reggie Bush and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, after tossing Humphries, Kim predicted that she was finished getting intimate with sportsmen.
"Unfortunately, I'm done dating athletes I think," said Kardashian, 36. "So for [stepsisters] Kendall and Kylie, you can get a nice up-and-coming golfer."
Kim exchanged vows with rapper Kanye West in May 2014. Consequently, Kim is presumably monogamous and focused on her egomaniacal husband.
"I don't know why it took us so long to get together,” Kardashian said of West, who was hospitalized for a psychiatric emergency in November 2016. “I think we've always had an attraction to each other, but we've always been in other relationships or it wasn't the right timing.”
While Kim claims to be satisfied with West, Kendall and Khloé are still actively seeking jocks. Khloé tried to explain her insatiable lust for athletes during an appearance on Howard Stern’s talk radio show.
“I don’t actually [go to the games],” said Khloé, 33, who is now seeing Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson
“But, I mean, especially now that I’m athletic, I like athletes. I like to be active.”
While romance abounds, let’s rank the eight best and seven worst athletes who have ever dated a Kardashian or Jenner.
15 15. BEST: RICK FOX
Former Los Angeles Lakers small forward Rick Fox is one of the most decorated role players in NBA history. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Fox was a critical piece of the Los Angeles Lakers’ squad that captured three consecutive crowns from 2000 through 2002. Additionally, while a solid contributor, Khloé Kardashian’s brief fling served as an invaluable mediator between Lakers superstars Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
“I would side with Shaq on different issues, and at times, I would side with Kobe, who was younger and would appear to be less experienced, but made a lot of sense,” said Fox, 47, who also dated Hollywood beauties Vanessa Williams and Eliza Dushku.
“As a group, we aligned at different times with each of those individuals, and I think it’s why we were so successful for a stretch. I don’t think we would have won three championships if we were solely had aligned behind Shaq for those years.”
14 14. WORST: TRISTAN THOMPSON
Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson began seeing Khloé Kardashian last autumn. The Cavaliers chose the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Thompson out of Texas with the fourth overall pick in 2011. Thompson, a member of the 2012 NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and the Cavaliers agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $82 million in October 2015.
"I earned my money," said Thompson, 26.
“I earned my money doing what I do; you can ask anyone around the league. I opened doors for other guys. It's a business, and you get paid what the market value is for you. I got my money and opened up doors for other guys that play hard and do the little things."
Khloé’s guy proceeded to perform admirably in Cleveland’s 2016 championship campaign. Conversely, Thompson played pathetically in this year’s finals loss to the Golden State Warriors. Thompson averaged 5.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in five uninspiring games against the Warriors.
13 13. BEST: LAMAR ODOM
The Los Angeles Clipper drafted University of Rhode Island forward Lamar Odom with the fourth pick in 1999. The 6-foot-10, 230-pound Odom immediately shined in Tinseltown and was selected to the 2000 NBA All-Rookie First Team. After a stint in Miami, the Heat sent Odom, Caron Butler and Brian Grant to the Los Angeles Lakers for Shaquille O'Neal. Odom helped the Lakers win consecutive titles in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. In 2011, Odom averaged 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists over 82 games to earn NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors. Sadly, Odom’s life utterly unraveled when Khloé Kardashian divorced him in December 2013.
Odom, who embarked on a near-fatal drugs and alcohol bender in October 2015 at a brothel in Crystal, Nevada, never again competed in the association following the 2013 campaign.
12 12. WORST: DERRICK WARD
Running back Derrick Ward unwisely began getting intimate with Khloé Kardashian in March 2009. Predictably, with Khloé involved, the 5-foot-11, 240-pound Ward struggled mightily on the gridiron and retired as a 36-year-old Houston Texan in July 2012. Prior to the Kardashian debacle, Ward enjoyed five productive seasons with the New York Giants from 2004 through 2008. Capitalizing on his feats with Big Blue, Ward signed a four-year contract worth $17 million with the Tampa Buccaneers as a free agent in March 2009.
"I'm a variety of things,” said Ward.
“I can be a pass-receiving running back, a one-cut and up running back, a power running back. I can do it all. I think my style of running, my style of play will fit in perfect.”
Ward sank with the Buccaneers and was cut by the team in August 2010. In 93 games with the Giants, Bucs and Texans, Ward carried the ball 551 times for 2,628 yards and 12 touchdowns.
11 11. BEST: MILES AUSTIN
Wide receiver Miles Austin joined the Dallas Cowboys in May 2006 as an undrafted free agent out of Monmouth University.
"Here's a kid (Austin) who has a tremendous amount of upside," Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan said.
"What you see is only scratching the surface of what he's going to be able to do. He isn't even close to peaking."
Callahan proved to be something of a visionary. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Austin thrived in the Lone Star State, made two Pro Bowls, and led the NFC in receiving yards as a Cowboy in 2009.
While thriving, Austin began dating Kim Kardashian in June 2010. Unsurprisingly, considering Mrs. West’s history with guys, the lovebirds split a mere three months later in September. Austin retired in December 2015 at the age of 30 after catching 361 pigskins for 5,273 yards and 37 scores as a Cowboy, Brown and Eagle.
10 10. WORST: JORDAN CLARKSON
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Jordan Clarkson enjoyed a dalliance with Kendall Jenner in April 2016. The randy duo split shortly thereafter and the 6-foot-5, 195-pound Clarkson is now with actress Bella Thorne. Removed from gossip, Clarkson has prospered as a Laker and he made the 2015 NBA All-Rookie First Team. Concerningly for the former University of Missouri standout, the Lakers chose blue-chip prospect Lonzo Ball put of UCLA with the second pick in June’s draft. Los Angeles is reportedly fielding offers for Clarkson.
“Per a source, #Lakers are not just ‘open-minded’ to trading Jordan Clarkson, as has been reported, but are actively seeking out offers,” tweeted Jordan Schultz of Basketball Insiders.
The 25-year-old Clarkson has averaged 14.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 220 contests as a Laker.
9 9. BEST: REGGIE BUSH
Free agent running back Reggie Bush is an incredibly underrated ballplayer. The 6-foot, 205-pound Bush has carried the ball 1,286 times for 5,490 yards and 36 scores. Bush has also caught 477 pigskins for 3,598 yards and 18 touchdowns. Despite posting solid statistics, perhaps because of his overwhelming brilliance as a USC Trojan or his fickle partnership with Kim Kardashian, Bush is often deemed a bust.
“I haven’t accomplished I think half of what I set out to,” admits Bush, 32.
“(In regard to Kim) I actually prefer not to talk about that. I feel like everything happens for a reason and some people come in our lives for a reason. So you kind of learn and grow from that experience.”
Regardless if another organization expresses interest in the aged Trojan or not, Bush earned his money on the gridiron.
8 8. WORST: CHANDLER PARSONS
The Houston Rockets drafted University of Florida small forward Chandler Parsons 38th overall in 2011. Something of an underdog, the 6-foot-10, 230-pound Parsons launched in Space City and made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2012. While rising professionally, Chandler and the Dallas Mavericks agreed to a three-year deal valued at $46 million in July 2014. Regrettably, due to right knee injuries, Parsons struggled to stay on the hardwood in the Big D and he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2016. Parsons hasn’t managed to regain his effectiveness in Memphis.
“I suck right now,” said Parsons, 28, who snuggled with Kendall Jenner in the summer of 2014.
“There’s no sugarcoating it. It is what it is. I’m just going to continue to work, continue to grind.”
While aimless on the court, Parsons also missed his shot to rekindle with Jenner.
7 7. BEST: MATT KEMP
Atlanta Braves outfielder Matt Kemp spent private moments with Khloé Kardashian for approximately a month from November 2012 through December 2012. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Kemp debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers in May 2006. Kemp gleamed in La-la-land and made two All-Star squads and won the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards in the 2009 and 2011 seasons. The Dodgers traded Kemp to the San Diego Padres in December 2014 for cash and three players. Kemp failed to impress as a Padre and he was sent to the Braves in exchange for third baseman Héctor Olivera in July 2016. The 32-year-old Kemp has compiled 1,611 hits, 253 home runs and 902 RBI in 5,621 appearances at the plate as a Dodger, Padre and Brave.
6 6. WORST: KRIS HUMPHRIES
Atlanta Hawks power forward Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian savored 72 days of wedded bliss before the reality starlet filed for divorce in October 2011.
“To me it was real,” said Humphries, 32. “I would never go through something or do something that wasn’t real or I didn’t believe in, so I can really only speak for myself in terms of that.”
The Utah Jazz selected the 6-foot-9, 235-pound Humphries out of the University of Minnesota with the 14th pick in 2004. Humphries stayed in Salt Lake City for a couple of years until the Jazz shipped him to the Toronto Raptors in June 2008. The Minnesotan has since become a journeyman and earned paychecks with the Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks. With eight teams, Humphries has averaged 6.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists over 800 games in the association. Essentially, in the midst of a lackluster career, Humphries is only recognized for the Kardashian fiasco.
5 5. BEST: ODELL BECKHAM JR.
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. got touchy with Khloé Kardashian at Drake’s Memorial Day party in May 2016. The 5-foot-11, 198-pound Beckham, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro, was even photographed with Kardashian sitting on his lap. Beckham dismissed the picture and insisted he remained faithful to his former flame. Although strictly speculation, it’s difficult to imagine that Beckham and Kardashian played Parcheesi at Drake’s soirée. Regardless of what occurred last summer, the 24-year-old Beckham and Brandon Marshall could become the league’s most dynamic receiving tandem this autumn.
“(Odell’s) the biggest superstar our game has ever seen in the history of football,” said Marshall, 33.
“I’m happy to be his teammate lined up on the other side. Go double coverage him. Send all the coverage to him and I’ll be backside, me and (Sterling Shepard) 1-on-1, and we’ll be happy.”
4 4. WORST: RASHAD MCCANTS
Free agent shooting guard Rashad McCants started dating Khloé Kardashian in August 2008. The couple spent nearly five months together before Kardashian axed McCants in January 2008. The 6-foot-4, 207-pound McCants, who the Minnesota Timberwolves selected out of North Carolina with the 14th overall pick in 2005, struggled to get acclimated to the association’s style of play and was hindered by a rash of injuries. McCants, who was altogether out of the NBA by the age of 24, hasn’t performed professionally since he was a member of the Cañeros del Este squad in 2015. McCants is convinced that he would have become a star on the hardwood if not for his fling with Kardashian.
“Without that situation (dating Khloé) in play, I’m a $60-$70 million player,” McCants said. “Easily.”
3 3. BEST: JAMES HARDEN
Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden began having adult relations with Khloé Kardashian in June 2015. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Harden, a five-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA First Team selection, mercifully came to his senses and dumped Kardashian in February 2016. This past July 9, the Rockets and Harden agreed to a four-year extension worth $228 million through the 2022-23 season.
"Houston is home for me," said Harden, 27. "[Owner Leslie Alexander] has shown he is fully committed to winning, and my teammates and I are going to keep putting in the work to get better and compete for the title."
Harden, who Oklahoma City took third overall out of Arizona State in 2009, has averaged 22.1 points, 5.7 assists and 5.0 rebounds over 615 games with the Thunder and Rockets.
2 2. WORST: JULIAN BROOKS
Who in the world is Julian Brooks?!?! The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Brooks was a dynamic wide receiver who received scholarship offers from Washington State, Utah State, UCLA, Oregon State, Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State and the University of Nevada, Reno. Brooks, a three-star recruit who ultimately committed to the Wolf Pack, and Kendall Jenner became a couple in November 2012 while they were students at Sierra Canyon High School in California. Heartbreakingly, while studying in Reno, Brooks was pinched cheating on Jenner and she tossed him in September 2013. The 24-year-old Brooks never played for the Wolf Pack or again competed in organized football. Since abandoning Reno in the spring of 2015, the philanderer has apparently focused his efforts on a beanie line he founded called “Brooks.”
1 1. BEST: CRISTIANO RONALDO
Cristiano Ronaldo and Kim Kardashian were caught kissing during an April 2010 dinner at a ritzy restaurant in Madrid. The 6-foot, 175-pound Ronaldo, named Forbes’ highest-paid athlete in 2016 and 2017, is debatably the preeminent soccer player ever. Sir Alex Ferguson managed Ronaldo when he was a member of Manchester United. Although disappointed that Ronaldo left "the Red Devils" for Real Madrid, Ferguson still raved about the womanizer.
"I have nothing but praise for the boy,” said Ferguson of Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer.
“He is easily the best player in the world. He is better than Kaka and better than Messi. He is streets ahead of them all. His contribution as a goal threat is unbelievable. His stats are incredible. Strikes at goal, attempts on goal, raids into the penalty box, headers. It is all there. Absolutely astounding."