Wally Szczerbiak’s Wife: A Look at His Life with Shannon Ward
Curious about Wally Szczerbiak’s wife? Learn about Shannon Ward—their college romance, family life, quiet split, and where things stand nWhen people talk about former NBA star and current broadcaster Wally Szczerbiak, they usually focus on his impressive career on the court or his commentary on TV. But many fans also find themselves wondering about his personal life—especially about Wally Szczerbiak’s wife. For nearly two decades, that was Shannon Ward, his college sweetheart and the mother of their five children.
Let’s take a closer look at their relationship—from how they met, to raising a family, and eventually going their separate ways with grace.
How It All Began
Wally and Shannon’s story started in the mid-1990s at Miami University in Ohio. They met as freshmen during orientation and quickly became inseparable. Wally was on his way to basketball stardom, and Shannon was a bright student who would later intern at Honeywell. They were both grounded in their Midwestern roots—Wally from Ohio and Shannon from Kansas—and that shared background seemed to bond them early on.
After dating through college and staying strong even as Wally entered the NBA, the couple tied the knot on July 1, 2000. It was the beginning of a new chapter as they stepped into the world of professional sports—and all the challenges that come with it.
Building a Family
Over the years, Wally and Shannon built a big, beautiful family. They have five kids together: Annabella, born in 2003; Amberly, born in 2006; Maximus Jack, born in 2008; Savanna, born in 2015; and Xavier Wynn, born in 2016. That’s quite the crew, and by all accounts, Shannon embraced her role as a hands-on mom, keeping the household running while Wally focused on his career.
Their family life involved a lot of moving—thanks to Wally’s time with teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, and Cleveland Cavaliers. But Shannon managed to create a stable, supportive home wherever they were.
She wasn’t someone who chased the spotlight, but she did show up for charity events, family outings, and supported Wally’s post-NBA broadcasting career when he moved into the studio as an analyst for the New York Knicks.
Going Their Separate Ways
After nearly 20 years of marriage, Wally and Shannon quietly split sometime around the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Unlike many high-profile couples, there wasn’t any drama or public fallout. They chose to handle things privately and with respect—especially for the sake of their kids.
The details of their divorce weren’t splashed across headlines, but it became clear over time that they had each moved on. Wally began dating MSG reporter Rebecca Haarlow, and in 2021, she announced that she was expecting a child—confirming that he was entering a new chapter in his personal life as well.
Shannon’s Life After Marriage
While Wally’s post-divorce life played out a bit in the public eye due to his media presence, Shannon has continued to keep things private. She’s remained focused on raising their children and building a life outside the glare of the spotlight. Even during their marriage, she never leaned into the fame that came with Wally’s name, preferring a quieter, more grounded existence.
It’s clear, though, that she played a key role in the stability and warmth of their home life. Whether it was managing the household through team trades or parenting five kids with different schedules and needs, Shannon was always the steady hand behind the scenes.
A Respectful Transition
What’s especially admirable about Wally and Shannon’s story is how they handled their separation. In a world where celebrity splits can get messy and mean, theirs appears to have been the opposite. By all indications, they remain respectful co-parents, putting their kids first and making sure the transition from married life to separate lives didn’t turn into a public spectacle.
Wally has spoken occasionally about his children and how important family is to him. And Shannon, though she doesn’t speak to the media, has clearly kept the same priorities. Their ability to work together post-divorce is something many people could learn from.
Looking Ahead
These days, Wally continues to thrive in his role as a broadcaster, offering commentary and analysis on MSG Network. He’s also taken on the joys of parenting in a blended family, now that he and Rebecca Haarlow are raising a child together.
As for Shannon, she’s still largely out of the public eye—but that doesn’t mean she’s disappeared. She’s just living life on her own terms, raising her kids, and enjoying life away from the cameras.
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