Jalen Rose has opened up about his divorce from Molly Qerim last year, and has addressed the rumor she has since begun dating Stephen A. Smith.
In an extensive interview with GQ, Rose spoke about his basketball career, and the challenges that come with broadcasting after spending so many years on the court. He was also directly asked what happened between him and Qerim. The two announced they were divorcing in December, although Rose initially filed for divorce in April that year.
“In my personal relationship, it was laughable to me, to see [Molly Querim] and I mutually part ways, be in accord about why we’re parting ways, and still see people speculating on why,” he said, reflecting on the public response to the news and the speculation that followed. “Not only speculating—in particular saying it was because her and Stephen A. Smith had a relationship. And…And, like, unequivocally, I’m not here to speak for what he does in his personal life or what she does in her personal life, I got love for both of them. We still 100. I would just say that for people who thought we parted ways because they have a relationship? Then I got some swampland in Detroit to sell you for top dollar. That is not why we split.”
He went on to explain that all the speculation regarding the end of their relationship “bothered” him, and that even if they are dating it definitely did not contribute towards the divorce. “I work with him, I got love for him, and that's my brother. I got love for her, we were friends before we were married, we just didn’t work as a couple," he explained. "I just saw her today. We cool! But for me to see the speculation and for people to assume that was why, it bothered me."
When the two officially confirmed they were splitting, he said the coverage of it was “heavy” and it was a bit much. At one point he was tempted to respond to all the speculation and rumors, but he was ultimately glad he didn’t because he felt like he “would just be fueling those people,” he said. “We discussed it. It’s why none of us said anything. People would say, ‘Jalen’s a sucker, Stephen A. snatched his wife and he up there workin’ with him,’ or ‘Look, at Molly, she was talkin’ to Jalen yesterday now she kickin it with…’ That ain’t happen."
He said that “we,” which could be the three of them or just him and Qerim, looked at the situation and realized it was “such a reach.” He added, “That’s why none of us have spoken on it.”
Check out the GQ full interview with Rose here.
