The top three scoring NBA players (L-R) Karl Malone, LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stand on stage during the half time show of the NBA All-Star game between Team Giannis and Team LeBron at the Vivint arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 19, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Karl Malone drew some ire this past weekend, having made an appearance at Sunday’s All-Star Game for a segment in which LeBron James was honored for becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

Malone, who dropped down to third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list in the wake of LeBron’s achievement, joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as part of the halftime event.

There have been lots of angry reactions to the legend being part of the weekend festivities but they have nothing to do with basketball. The former Utah Jazz big man’s involvement has brought a regrettable story back to light, one which Malone has never publicly addressed.

While in college in 1983, the former NBA superstar got a 13-year-old Gloria Bell pregnant. Bell told The Salt Lake Tribune the player, who was 20 at the time, escaped statutory rape charges because her family was aware of his NBA future and acknowledged he would not have been able to provide for the child from jail.

Malone did not provide for the child out of jail either and did not meet his son until he was 17 after he graduated from high school.

According to Salt Lake Tribune reporter Gordon Monson, “Malone initially denied paternity and later agreed to a settlement that reportedly did not require him to admit he was the child’s father.”

Malone was asked about his past following his ASG appearance and was not very keen to discuss it.

“I’m not discussing any of that backlash,” he said to the aforementioned publication. “I don’t care. That’s my life, that’s my personal life, and I’ll deal with that like I’ve had to deal with everything. So, whatever.”

“Whatever, I’m human,” he said when asked to elaborate.

Malone’s son, Demetress Bell is now 38. He’s a former NFL offensive tackle who played for the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys.