Basketball Wives Ends After 16 Years, Evelyn Lozada Reflects

Lozada gets emotional over the show's legacy and impact on the lives of the cast and crew.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Evelyn Lozada, a longtime cast member of the reality TV series Basketball Wives, has spoken out about the show's ending after 16 seasons. Lozada became emotional while discussing the impact the show had on the lives of those who worked on it, including seeing people get married, have kids, and even become grandparents. While Lozada acknowledged the show could not go on forever, she expressed gratitude for the opportunities it provided and the family-like bond the cast developed over the years.

Why it matters

Basketball Wives was a long-running reality series that provided a platform for its cast members and behind-the-scenes crew. The show's end marks the conclusion of an era in unscripted television, highlighting the changing landscape of the genre and the bittersweet emotions that come with the end of a successful, decades-long program.

The details

Basketball Wives first premiered on VH1 in 2010, featuring Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Mesha O'Neal, Royce Reed, Faith Rein, and Shaunie O'Neal. Over the years, the show expanded to include a Los Angeles-based cast and additional members such as Tami Roman, Suzie Ketcham, Draya Michele, and Jackie Christie. Lozada described her time on the show as a "double-edged sword," as it helped her accomplish many personal and professional goals but also required her to be very open about her life. Creator and executive producer Shaunie O'Neal announced the show's cancellation on social media in January 2026, stating that it was the end of an era but the beginning of a new season with exciting projects ahead.

  • Basketball Wives first premiered on VH1 in 2010.
  • Shaunie O'Neal announced the show's cancellation on January 29, 2026.

The players

Evelyn Lozada

A longtime cast member of Basketball Wives who became emotional while discussing the show's ending and the impact it had on the lives of those involved.

Shaunie O'Neal

The creator and executive producer of Basketball Wives, who announced the show's cancellation on social media, stating it was the end of an era but the beginning of a new season with exciting projects ahead.

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What they’re saying

“My emotion doesn't come from the show ending — that's emotional too. It comes from how many people depended on this show. It was so many people that loved working on this show. We were family. I saw people have kids, get married, I became a grandma. I'm so grateful.”

— Evelyn Lozada (Drop the Lo* podcast)

“This isn't an ending, it's a transition. I'm stepping into a new season with exciting projects ahead that align with where I am personally and professionally. More to come.”

— Shaunie O'Neal, Creator and Executive Producer of Basketball Wives (Social media)

The takeaway

The end of Basketball Wives after 16 years on the air marks the conclusion of a successful, long-running reality TV series that provided a platform for its cast members and crew. While the show's cancellation is bittersweet, it highlights the changing landscape of unscripted television and the lasting impact that such programs can have on the lives of those involved.