
In 2021, *Basketball Wives* star Malaysia Pargo revealed in an emotional episode that her younger brother, Dontae Hayes, was shot and killed by a police officer in 2013. He was only 17 years old. The tragic incident brought to light the issues of police brutality and social injustice, particularly affecting Black and Brown communities. Pargo, who gained fame as the wife of NBA player Jannero Pargo, has used her platform to address these issues and has invested in real estate and other business ventures, contributing to her net worth of around $3.5 million. In 2023, she decided to step back from the show, citing a need to distance herself from negative vibes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dontae Hayes |
| Age at death | 17 |
| Year of death | 2013 |
| Cause of death | Shot by a police officer |
| Family members' actions | Mother filed a claim against the city for $25,000 in damages |
| Impact on Malaysia Pargo | Emotional distress, fear for her children's safety |
| Malaysia Pargo's actions | Open dialogue with her children about police brutality, stepping back from "Basketball Wives" |
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What You'll Learn

Malaysia Pargo's brother was shot and killed by a police officer in 2013
The death of George Floyd brought to light the issue of racial injustice and police brutality against Black and Brown people in the United States. This issue hit close to home for 'Basketball Wives' star Malaysia Pargo, whose brother, Dontae Hayes, was shot and killed by a police officer in 2013.
In an emotional episode of 'Basketball Wives', Pargo highlighted her struggles with the concept of racial injustice and her fears of raising Black children in a society where they could be killed by the police just because of their skin colour. Pargo's brother was only 17 years old when he was killed, and there were conflicting reports about whether he had a weapon on him, as claimed by officials.
The death of her brother had a profound impact on Pargo, and she has faced challenges in healing from this tragic loss. In the episode, she also spoke to her son, Jannero, about how her brother was killed by the police. As a result of her brother's death, Pargo's mother filed a claim against the city for $25,000 in damages.
Malaysia Pargo, born Laquisha Pargo, rose to fame as a key cast member on the popular reality television show 'Basketball Wives LA', which showcased the lives of professional basketball players' wives, ex-wives, and girlfriends. She joined the show in 2011 and was a part of it until its end in 2016, later returning when the original series was revived in 2017. Pargo's strong personality and charisma endeared her to viewers, and she has established herself as a successful entrepreneur and television personality, with a net worth of around $3.5 million.
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Dontae Hayes was only 17 years old when he died
Dontae was shot and killed by a police officer in 2013. In their report, officials claimed that Dontae had a weapon on him, but this was disputed by one of his family members. The tragedy left Malaysia heartbroken and triggered a difficult but necessary conversation with her children about police brutality and social injustice.
As a Black mother, Malaysia feared for the safety of her children in a world where racial injustice and police brutality against Black people are prevalent. She decided to have an open dialogue with her children, knowing that it could potentially help save their lives. Malaysia's decision to address these issues head-on, despite the pain and fear she felt, demonstrated her courage and commitment to protecting her family.
The death of Dontae Hayes and the impact it had on Malaysia and her family highlighted the very real and devastating consequences of racial injustice and police brutality. It served as a stark reminder that no one is too young or too old to be a victim of these injustices.
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Malaysia Pargo has three children
Malaysia Pargo, born Laquisha Pargo, is a reality TV star, entrepreneur, and businesswoman. She is best known for her role on the popular reality television show Basketball Wives LA, which showcased the lives of professional basketball players' wives, ex-wives, and girlfriends. Malaysia's strong personality and charisma quickly endeared her to viewers.
Malaysia has three children: Jannero Jr., born in 2006, and twins Jayla and Jayden, born in 2011. She had her children with her now ex-husband, former NBA star Jannero Pargo. The couple dated for four years before tying the knot in 2006, but sadly split in 2014. Malaysia's social media posts showcase how much she enjoys motherhood and how important spending time with her children is to her. On her Instagram, she has posted captions calling Jayla her "little princess" and referring to Jayden as her "young man".
In addition to being a mother, Malaysia has established herself as a successful entrepreneur and television personality. She has a substantial income from brand endorsements and partnerships and has invested in real estate, contributing to her overall net worth of around $3.5 million.
In an emotional episode of Basketball Wives, Malaysia spoke about her fears of raising Black children in a world where racial injustice and police brutality are prevalent. She highlighted her struggles with the concept and her fears for her children's safety, especially after the death of her younger brother, who was shot and killed by a police officer in 2013.
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Pargo's mother filed a claim against the city for $25,000 in damages
Malaysia Pargo, born Laquisha Pargo, is a reality TV star, entrepreneur, and businesswoman. She rose to fame after marrying NBA player Jannero Pargo and joining the cast of the popular reality television show Basketball Wives LA. On the show, Pargo showcased her strong personality and magnetic charisma, which quickly endeared her to viewers.
In an emotional episode of Basketball Wives, Pargo revealed that her younger brother had been shot and killed by a police officer in 2013. As a result, she shared her struggles with the concept of racial injustice and her fears of raising Black children in a society where Black men, women, and children are frequently killed at the hands of the police.
Following her brother's death, Pargo decided to have a difficult conversation with her own children about police brutality and the dangers they may face as Black individuals. She expressed the painfulness of the topic but acknowledged the importance of having open dialogues with children to help prepare and potentially save their lives.
It is unclear if Pargo's mother filed a claim against the city for $25,000 in damages relating to the death of her son. However, it is possible that she pursued legal action, given the tragic circumstances surrounding her son's death at the hands of a police officer.
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The reality star has decided to step back from 'Basketball Wives'
Malaysia Pargo, the reality TV star, has decided to step back from the VH1 series 'Basketball Wives'. Pargo, who first joined the show in 2011, shared her decision in the February 27 episode. She said, "I enjoy doing Basketball Wives. It's been 10 years. But at a point, you have to realize and say, 'I love a baby that doesn't love me back.' So I have to walk away from this group and this show."
Pargo's announcement came after a falling-out with some of her co-stars, including Jennifer Williams and Jackie Christie. She told Christie, "At this point, I won't be coming around your group of friends anymore, the band that you put together. I'm definitely not coming around that group of people, permanently. I just don't care to be around people giving me, like, bad vibes."
Pargo's departure from 'Basketball Wives' marks the end of a journey that began in 2011 when she joined the cast of 'Basketball Wives LA'. The show, which showcased the lives of professional basketball players' wives, ex-wives, girlfriends, and their social circles, served as a stepping stone for Pargo, who shot to fame after marrying NBA player Jannero Pargo. Her strong personality and charisma endeared her to viewers, and the show's success significantly contributed to her net worth, opening doors to other revenue streams.
In addition to her success on 'Basketball Wives', Pargo has established herself as a successful entrepreneur and television personality, with a net worth of around $3.5 million as of 2024. She has a strong social media presence, with millions of followers, which provides a platform for brand endorsements and partnerships, contributing to her overall wealth.
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Frequently asked questions
Malaysia Pargo, born Laquisha Pargo, rose to fame after marrying NBA player Jannero Pargo. She became a key cast member on the popular reality television show 'Basketball Wives LA'.
Malaysia Pargo's brother, Dontae Hayes, was shot and killed by a police officer in 2013. He was 17 years old and, according to officials, was reaching for a wrench in his pocket.
Malaysia has struggled with the concept of racial injustice and has expressed fear for her children, who are also at risk of police brutality. In an emotional episode of 'Basketball Wives', she spoke to her children about these issues.
Malaysia's mother filed a claim against the city for $25,000 in damages. Fans of 'Basketball Wives' have also expressed their sympathies and suggested that Malaysia seek therapy to heal from the tragedy.











































