‘Love Island USA’: Get to Know Aniya Harvey’s Dad & His NBA History
What To Know
- Aniya Harvey is a contestant on Love Island USA Season 8.
- Her father played in the NBA.
- Love Island USA Season 8 premieres on June 2.
It’s an athlete-heavy season of Love Island USA this year. Along with a Team USA Paralympian, the Season 8 villa features a number of Islanders who played college sports. Aniya Harvey, a Florida Atlantic University volleyball alum, is one of them. Get ready for some intense challenges!
In the cast introduction video, Aniya revealed that she comes by her competitiveness naturally. “My dad, he used to play in the NBA,” she said. “I’m so freaking extra. Please, Love Island, give me a man!”
We love the energy, but we’ll admit Aniya’s first sentence is what caught our attention. She’s not the first person with a professional athlete family member to go on the reality dating show. (Remember, Season 6 winner Kordell Beckham‘s older brother is NFL star Odell Beckham Jr.) But still, it’s not a super common occurrence on Love Island USA, so we immediately had to do some digging into Aniya’s family.
While we get to know Aniya over the summer, you can read up all about the Georgia native’s dad, former professional basketball player Donnell Harvey.
Who is Aniya Harvey’s dad?
Donnell Harvey played college basketball for the Florida Gators. According to the university’s website, he was considered one of the nation’s top high school players during his senior year.
After playing as a freshman for Florida in 1999, Harvey entered the 2000 NBA Draft. He went in the first round. The New York Knicks picked him as the 22nd overall, but his draft rights were traded to the Dallas Mavericks immediately. He played for the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns before finishing his career with the New Jersey Nets during the 2004-2005 season, according to his stats page.
We’ll have to wait and see if Harvey makes it to the villa for Family Day by the end of the season. It all depends how far his daughter makes it in the reality show — but Aniya’s already said she’s got a competitive streak, so we have high hopes!
Love Island USA, Season 8 Premiere, June 2, Peacock
