Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP) became the subject of a viral meme in 2017 when an image surfaced that appeared to show him wearing an ankle monitor during a game. This image gained widespread attention, but it turned out to be a photoshopped fake. KCP’s wife, McKenzie, recently shared her thoughts on the situation during an episode of KCP’s Dawg Talk podcast. In a lighthearted post on her Instagram stories, McKenzie expressed her frustration with the viral image, writing, “It was photoshopped. And whoever made that photo, go to hell.”
Before joining the LA Lakers in 2017, KCP had been sentenced to a year of probation after being arrested for drunk driving in March of that year. He served a 25-day jail sentence in December 2017 for violating his probation but was allowed to practice and play in Lakers home games while on a work-release program. It was during this time that the ankle monitor meme gained traction.
Despite the viral incident, KCP has since embraced his past, owning up to his mistakes. He has now settled into a family life with his wife and four children, with another on the way.
After contributing to the Denver Nuggets’ 2023 NBA championship, KCP signed a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic, where he’s now the starting shooting guard. His experience and leadership are expected to be valuable assets for the Magic’s young core, which includes talents like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs.
