Is the NBA Protecting Karl Malone? Victor Wembanyama's Viral Gloria Bell Statement Sparks Debate

The NBA's 24 July tribute to Karl Malone, posted on the Hall of Famer's 62nd birthday, has triggered a wave of public outrage after a viral comment from rising star Victor Wembanyama drew attention to Malone's controversial past. Wembanyama responded to the NBA's celebratory video by sharing a post of a man saying: 'What? Oh, see that's what we not about to do. Police, lock his ass up because he need to be under the jail'.

Wembanyama's Comment Reopens Controversial History

Wembanyama's post quickly went viral across platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Reddit. The blunt nature of his comment prompted thousands of reactions, reigniting a long-standing controversy that many fans argue the NBA has failed to address publicly.

His post referenced Malone's involvement with Gloria Bell, a woman who was 13 years old at the time of a sexual relationship that led to pregnancy. Malone was 20 and a college athlete during the incident, which became public knowledge in the late 1990s.

What Happened to the Gloria Bell Case?

In 1998, DNA testing confirmed that Malone was the biological father of Gloria Bell's son, Demetress Bell, who later became an NFL offensive tackle and played for teams including the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. The relationship between Malone and Bell reportedly began when she was 13 years old and Malone was 20, while he was a student-athlete at Louisiana Tech University.

Court documents indicated that Malone initially denied paternity and refused to provide child support. Legal efforts were made to obtain financial responsibility, but the matter was eventually settled privately outside of court. The terms of the agreement were not publicly disclosed.

No criminal charges were filed, reportedly due in part to the reluctance of Bell's family to pursue prosecution at the time. Malone has rarely spoken about the case, calling it a 'private matter' in limited interviews. The NBA has never publicly commented on the allegations or on Malone's confirmed paternity.

NBA Faces Renewed Pressure Over Its Silence

Despite the growing controversy because of Wemby's comment, the NBA has remained silent as of publication. The league's lack of response has drawn criticism from advocacy groups and sports commentators, who point out the contradiction between the NBA's social activism campaigns and its failure to address serious historical allegations involving one of its icons.

This is not the first time Malone's legacy has drawn public backlash. In 2023, Louisiana Tech University faced protests after unveiling a statue of Malone, with critics citing the Gloria Bell case as reason for reconsideration. Now, with Wembanyama bringing the issue back into public view, pressure is mounting for the NBA to confront how it handles the legacies of controversial figures.

Athletes Increasingly Speak Out on Off-Court Conduct

Victor Wembanyama's comment joins a pattern of younger NBA players using their platforms to raise issues related to accountability and past misconduct. At 21, he is among a new generation of athletes who publicly address topics often avoided by their predecessors.

While the NBA has made efforts to highlight social justice campaigns in recent seasons, the renewed focus on Karl Malone's history — triggered by Wembanyama's post — has intensified public discussion around how the league acknowledges past controversies involving high-profile players.