Retired NBA star Paul Pierce is facing a legal battle after a woman filed a lawsuit seeking to establish him as the father of her child.
Princess Santiago filed the paternity suit in a Los Angeles court Monday, requesting that the Basketball Hall of Famer undergo a DNA test, according to a report by TMZ.
In the court documents, Santiago seeks to legally establish paternity for her child, who was born recently. Along with the DNA request, the filing reportedly includes requests for child support and the payment of legal fees.
“I filed for paternity papers after multiple attempts to resolve this privately,” Santiago said in a statement. “Paul Pierce is the father of my son, King, and I am simply asking for a paternity test so the truth can be confirmed.”
“This isn’t about drama or attention — it’s about accountability and doing what’s right for my child.”
Santiago has worked with NBA players, including Dwight Howard, in the past.
Pierce, 48, has not yet publicly commented on the lawsuit.
Known by his nickname “The Truth,” Pierce spent 19 seasons in the NBA, the majority of which were with the Boston Celtics. He led the franchise to a championship in 2008, earning NBA Finals MVP honors. Since retiring in 2017, Pierce has remained a prominent, if sometimes controversial, figure in sports media and digital content.
This is not the first time the former All-Star’s personal life has made headlines. Pierce, who was married to Julie Landrum in 2010 and has three children from that marriage, has faced various legal and professional hurdles in recent years, including his 2021 departure from ESPN and a 2023 settlement with the SEC regarding crypto promotions.
Legal experts say that in California, if a paternity test confirms biological fatherhood, the court will then move to determine a formal child support schedule based on the parent’s income and the needs of the child.
Representatives for Pierce did not immediately return requests for comment Tuesday.
Flip the pages for photos of Ms. Santiago.
