Gilbert Arenas was born in Tampa, Florida on January 6, 1982, to Gilbert Arenas Sr. and his fiancée Mary Robinson. Gilbert Sr., who was born in Tampa, met Mary while attending the University of Miami. Soon after, they fell in love, and Gilbert was born when Mary was still a teenager.
Gilbert was reared in Miami by his mother and her family until the age of three when his father was still in college and jobless. Gilbert Sr. ultimately got custody of his son after Mary was unable to care for him due to drug addiction. Gilbert’s life changed dramatically once he moved in with his father. Gilbert Sr. was a collegiate athlete who played baseball and football.
As a consequence, he fostered the same desire in his son. Gilbert Jr., on the other hand, preferred basketball over all other sports. When his father moved to Los Angeles a few years later to pursue an acting career, he brought his son with him. Gilbert was a member of the basketball team at Ulysses S. Grant High School in California.
Gilbert Arenas first showed an interest in playing in the NBA when he was twelve years old. Knowing his son’s dreams, his father invested in his development and accompanied him to the academy to practice the game. Gilbert is grateful to his father for not abandoning him in foster care and for raising him on his own despite several hardships.
