Carter Kelly Barnes: Twin Son of NBA Champion Matt Barnes
Carter Kelly Barnes was born on November 6, 2008, as the twin son of former NBA champion Matt Barnes and reality TV personality Gloria Govan. At 16, he plays basketball for Crespi Carmelite High School in California, where he and his twin brother Isaiah have combined to score 39 points in competitive tournaments. The sophomore guard brings strong athletic genes and mental toughness learned from his father’s 14-season NBA career.
Who Is Carter Kelly Barnes?
Carter Kelly Barnes entered the world on November 6, 2008, alongside his twin brother Isaiah Michael Barnes. His parents were both public figures at the time. Matt Barnes played 14 seasons in the NBA, averaging 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds across 929 games before winning a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2017. His mother, Gloria Govan, appeared on VH1’s Basketball Wives and Basketball Wives LA before pursuing acting and content development.
Carter was born when Gloria was 38 years old, during the height of both parents’ careers. This timing meant Carter grew up surrounded by NBA culture, media attention, and professional athletes from his earliest years.
Family Background and Upbringing
Matt Barnes and Gloria Govan married in 2013 but separated in 2014 and divorced in 2016. The divorce drew significant media coverage and involved custody arrangements. In 2018, Gloria was arrested and charged with felony child endangerment after an altercation during a custody exchange when the twins were nine years old.
Despite the public nature of their split, both parents have maintained involvement in Carter’s life. Matt Barnes later became engaged to Anansa Sims, daughter of model Beverly Johnson, creating a blended family structure. In 2021, Gloria married Derek Fisher, a five-time NBA champion and former Lakers teammate of Matt Barnes.
Matt Barnes addressed the relationship, stating: “To me, it’s about raising these twins the best we possibly can and co-parenting, so now he and I are cool. We’re on the same page. We communicate and see each other when we’re at events”.
Basketball Career at Crespi High School
Carter attends Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California, where he plays on the varsity basketball team. At the 2024 Section 7 Basketball Tournament, Carter and Isaiah scored a combined 39 points against Lincoln High School, helping Crespi finish the weekend undefeated. The three-day competition featured 400 boys and girls teams and attracted attention from over 500 college coaches.
Through 56 games in his first two seasons, Carter has averaged 9.6 points per game, 1.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 0.3 blocks. In his sophomore season alone, the 6-foot-2 combo guard averaged 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game across 25 matches.
Derek Fisher serves as head coach at Crespi High School, where he coached the team to a 21-9 record in the 2024-2025 season. As both stepfather and coach, Fisher provides unique guidance. Fisher explained his decision to coach at the high school level: “I figured instead of me complaining like every other parent, I’d roll my sleeves up and get involved in the process”.
The Twin Connection
Carter described playing with Isaiah: “Playing with someone who looks like you, can sometimes play like you, it’s a great feeling. We’ve been doing it since we were four years old. Never been on a different team, so it’s great”.
The brothers share more than just the court. They maintain a joint Instagram account called @thebarnesboys with over 37,000 followers. The account showcases basketball highlights, family moments, and their journey through high school athletics.
Carter explained their accountability system: “Every time we are in the court together, we keep each other accountable. When he drops his head, I pick it back up. When I drop mine, he picks me back up. It’s definitely great to have someone there for you like that”.
Lessons From an NBA Father
Matt Barnes has emphasized mental toughness to his sons throughout their development. During the 2024 tournament, the twins demonstrated this by tuning out distractions and maintaining focus under pressure from college scouts.
Matt Barnes’ career included playing for nine different NBA teams over 14 seasons, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, and Golden State Warriors. This journeyman experience taught him resilience and adaptability, lessons he passes to Carter.
Barnes averaged 43.6% from the field and 33.5% from three-point range during his career. Beyond statistics, he was known for his defensive intensity and mental toughness, traits visible in Carter’s playing style.
Public Presence and Media Attention
Carter navigates a unique position as the son of famous parents. His childhood included appearances on reality television, red carpet events, and constant media coverage of his family’s personal matters.
Gloria Govan has an estimated net worth of $5 million from her television career, cookbook publication, and business ventures. Matt Barnes’ net worth is estimated between $10 million and $15 million from his NBA career and media work. This financial stability provides Carter access to quality coaching, training facilities, and educational opportunities.
Despite the resources and attention, Carter maintains a relatively grounded presence. At the NBPA Top 100 Camp in June 2025, Carter averaged five points, two rebounds, and 2.3 assists alongside other top prospects.
Looking Ahead
Carter and Isaiah belong to the Class of 2027 and have two years before making college basketball decisions. College scouts have already taken notice of their performance at elite tournaments and high school competitions.
The brothers train alongside other children of NBA players, creating a unique peer group that understands the pressures and opportunities of their positions. At the NBPA Top 100 Camp, they competed alongside Abdul Aziz Olajuwon (son of Hakeem Olajuwon) and other next-generation prospects.
Carter’s development continues under Fisher’s coaching and his father’s mentorship. Whether he pursues basketball at the collegiate or professional level remains uncertain, but the foundation is solid.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Carter Kelly Barnes?
Carter was born on November 6, 2008, making him 16 years old as of 2025.
Who are Carter Barnes’ parents?
His father is former NBA player Matt Barnes, and his mother is television personality Gloria Govan.
Does Carter Barnes play basketball?
Yes, Carter plays as a 6-foot-2 combo guard for Crespi High School, averaging 12.5 points per game in his sophomore season.
What is Carter Barnes’ Instagram?
Carter shares an Instagram account with his twin brother called @thebarnesboys with over 37,000 followers.
Who coaches Carter Barnes at Crespi?
Derek Fisher, a five-time NBA champion and Carter’s stepfather, serves as head coach at Crespi High School.