Sixers’ Iguodala is sued for child support

Sixers star Andre Iguodala is being sued for child support by a South Jersey woman.

Clayanna Warthen, 23, of Clementon, delivered the baby girl, London Iguodala, on May 7. Warthen alleges that she has no income and has been compelled to obtain medical coverage through the state of New Jersey, and seeks temporary support of $12,000 to $15,000 a month, according to the suit filed in Camden County court today by attorney Richard C. Klein of Spector Gadon & Rosen, of Moorestown.

Iguodala's attorney, Charles J. Meyer of Elliott Greenleaf & Siedzikowski, of Blue Bell, said: "We have made all reasonable efforts . . . to resolve this matter without litigation. In spite of those efforts, the demands that were made were beyond what is reasonable."

Meyer said Iguodala's intent is to "generously provide" for London. "We will continue to make efforts to resolve this matter without litigation. If, however, litigation is necessary, Andre will abide by the court's order." Meyer added that Iguodala had enrolled London in an NBA medical insurance policy.

In a statement to The Inquirer provided by Meyer, Iguodala said: "I feel blessed to have a healthy new daughter, and I will give her all of the love and support she needs for a happy and full life."

In her complaint, Warthen says that she and Iguodala, 25, had a relationship between October 2004 - the beginning of his rookie season - and January 2009.

Warthen alleges that Iguodala had told her that he would provide "whatever she may need." The suit says he gave her sums of $3,000 to $4,000 on several occasions during her pregnancy.

Warthen also wants the court to compel Iguodala to disclose his finances.

Last August, Iguodala signed a six-year contract worth a reported $80 million.

Iguodala has a son, Andre Tyler Iguodala II, born in March 2007 to a woman he identified at the time as his girlfriend Christine.

The lawsuit says the child had lived in Radnor and now may reside in California. Warthen says she seeks "the same opportunities and benefits of any other child born of the defendant."

Warthen says she has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and has put her plans for law school on hold. She has modeled and appeared in music videos, according to photos available on her MySpace page.

Iguodala was a hardcourt standout in his native Springfield, Ill., who went on to the University of Arizona. The Sixers chose him ninth overall in the 2004 NBA draft.

A team spokesman had no comment.

The suit lists Iguodala's address as the Phoenix, a luxury high-rise in Center City. In January 2007, Iguodala paid $1.775 million for a house in Bryn Mawr, according to Montgomery County records. He also paid $600,000 in 2004 for a house in West Conshohocken.