Loren Waters, a filmmaker of Cherokee Nation and Kiowa heritage, has unexpectedly become part of NBA headlines after her name surfaced in the controversy surrounding former San Antonio Spurs broadcaster Jacob Tobey. But while social media has buzzed with speculation, Waters' career as an award-winning producer and director stands on its own, long before this off-court story emerged.
An Award-Winning Voice in Indigenous Cinema
Waters founded Waters Media, a production company dedicated to developing documentaries and narrative projects that center Native voices. Her work has earned her recognition as one of the most prominent Indigenous filmmakers of her generation. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and has been named to Forbes 30 Under 30 and Filmmaker Magazine's 25 New Faces of Independent Film.
Her credits include the acclaimed series Reservation Dogs, the film Fancy Dance, and the documentary The Lowdown. Her short documentary Tiger won the Short Film Special Jury Award for Directing at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and later became Academy Award-qualifying. Her work has also been featured at SXSW and Hot Docs, among other festivals.
More Than a Headline
Beyond her filmmaking, Waters is the sister of Spurs guard Lindy Waters III and serves as executive director of the Lindy Waters III Foundation, which supports Native youth through education, leadership, and community initiatives. Her name entered the spotlight after social media posts alleged she had been involved with Tobey, who was later reported to be out as the Spurs' television play-by-play announcer. Neither Waters nor the Spurs have publicly addressed the allegations, and the claims remain unverified.
While the off-court story continues to generate attention, Waters' public profile has largely been built through her work behind the camera. Her focus remains on telling stories that amplify Indigenous perspectives, a mission that has earned her respect far beyond the basketball court.
For more on the Spurs controversy, read our coverage: Spurs Announcer Jacob Tobey Out After Alleged Affair with Player's Sister Sparks Social Media Storm.
