Mallory Edens Reflects on Her Viral NBA Draft Experience

Mallory Edens, the daughter of Milwaukee Bucks owner Wes Edens, recently shared her thoughts on the impact of the 2014 NBA Draft Lottery, where she became something of an internet sensation.

In a recent episode of the podcast “Different from me,” she discussed how the overwhelming online attention has led her to become “very protective” of herself. At just 18 during the lottery, Edens expressed that the harsh commentary she encountered online was quite damaging. She said, “I actually don’t think people know that much about me, and I think the biggest misconception is that they just don’t know that much about me.”

Reflecting on those early days, she admitted, “I had a huge internet craze when I was young, and what people were saying about me online at the time felt so harmful that I found myself in a situation where I tried to protect myself. And I don’t know if I’ve ever actually gotten out of that protective case.”

Her appearance at the lottery instantly turned her into a meme. Even though the Bucks ended up with the second pick, many believed they were, in a sense, the real winners thanks to her presence. “Mallory Edens is a star,” noted Michelle Beadle, a FanDuel host, at that time.

Commentator Bill Simmons added, “The Cavaliers won the lottery, and Mallory Edens won the Internet.” Since then, her status has only continued to grow.

In 2023, Edens was linked romantically to former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who later married a woman named Brittani while playing for the Jets and Steelers.

As a model, Edens has also founded Little Ray Media, a production company based in Los Angeles that focuses on telling stories from the perspective of women and girls.

When asked whether she’d like to take on a larger role within the Bucks organization, she replied, “Well, my time was there.” She expressed a deep respect for the front office team and enjoys being involved in conversations, even if it’s just as an observer. “I always tell my dad exactly what I’m thinking… We joke about those things respectfully. So we’re not always on the same page, but I always tell him exactly how I feel,” she shared.

Edens also made it clear that her love for basketball remains strong, saying she’s open-minded about the possibilities that lie ahead.