Pepe Garcia is an American reality television personality, fitness coach and former professional basketball player who became widely known after appearing on Love Island USA Season 7 in 2025. His full name is Jose Garcia-Gonzalez, and he entered the villa as a bombshell before developing a relationship with Iris Kendall. The pair reached the final four and finished in fourth place.
Before reality television, Pepe had already built a career around basketball and fitness. He played college basketball at California State University, Fullerton, later pursued professional basketball overseas and eventually moved into fitness training. His transition from professional sports to television became an important part of his public profile.
As of 2026, Pepe continues to be associated with the Love Island franchise while working as a fitness coach and sharing workout-related content online. He is also part of the cast of Love Island: Beyond the Villa Season 2.
Quick Facts About Pepe Garcia
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jose Garcia-Gonzalez |
| Known As | Pepe Garcia |
| Date of Birth | March 20, 1998 |
| Age | 28 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Madrid, Spain |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Los Alamitos High School; California State University, Fullerton |
| Profession | Reality television personality, fitness coach, former professional basketball player |
| Famous For | Love Island USA Season 7 |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches |
| Relationship Status | Single following his 2025 split from Iris Kendall |
| Former Sport | Professional basketball |
| Television Projects | Love Island USA, Love Island: Beyond the Villa |
The date of birth and age are publicly listed as March 20, 1998, while Cal State Fullerton records identify Garcia-Gonzalez as being born in Madrid and list his hometown as Los Alamitos, California. The university also lists him at 6 feet 3 inches.
Who Is Pepe Garcia?
Pepe Garcia, whose full name is Jose Garcia-Gonzalez, is a former professional basketball player and reality television personality. He became a recognizable name in entertainment after joining the seventh season of Love Island USA as a bombshell in 2025.
His background is different from that of many reality television contestants because he had already spent years involved in competitive basketball and fitness. During his time on Love Island USA, he discussed his previous career in professional basketball and explained that he had moved into fitness after retiring from the sport.
His athletic background has remained part of his public identity. In addition to appearing on television, he has worked as a personal trainer and fitness coach and has shared workout content with his audience.
How Old Is Pepe Garcia?
Pepe Garcia was born on March 20, 1998, making him 28 years old in 2026. His birthday places him under the zodiac sign Pisces.
His age also helps place his professional timeline in context. He completed high school in 2016 and entered college basketball soon afterward before continuing his athletic career beyond the college level.
Where Was Pepe Garcia Born?
Pepe Garcia was born in Madrid, Spain, although he grew up in the Los Alamitos, California, area. His official Cal State Fullerton basketball profile lists Madrid as his birthplace and Los Alamitos as his hometown.
That Spanish connection is one reason biographical searches sometimes describe Pepe as having an international background. However, the most consistently documented details concern his birth in Madrid and his upbringing and education in California.
Pepe Garcia’s Early Life and Family
Pepe’s early years were closely connected to basketball. He attended Los Alamitos High School in California, where he played multiple positions and developed into one of the school’s notable basketball players.
His university profile identifies his parents as Jose Garcia-Yanez and Erika Gonzalez and lists one sister, Sarah. The same profile notes that he was nicknamed Pepe from an early age.
Pepe has generally kept much of his family life away from the center of his reality television career. His public profile has focused more heavily on basketball, fitness and relationships formed through Love Island than on providing extensive details about his relatives.
Pepe Garcia’s Education
Pepe attended Los Alamitos High School, graduating in 2016. His high school basketball career included recognition on the All-Sunset League First Team and an Orange County Register All-Star selection. During his senior year, he averaged 18.8 points and 3.2 assists per game.
After high school, he attended California State University, Fullerton, where he played for the Cal State Fullerton Titans.
University records show that he appeared in the program during the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons and was listed as a guard. His official collegiate statistics record two games during his Cal State Fullerton career.
Pepe Garcia’s Basketball Career
Basketball was a major part of Pepe Garcia’s life before television.
At Los Alamitos High School, he played point guard, shooting guard and small forward. His senior-season performance helped him earn league and local recognition. He then continued his basketball journey at Cal State Fullerton.
After college, Pepe pursued professional basketball outside the United States. During Love Island USA, he revealed that he had played approximately six years of professional basketball before retiring from the sport. His international playing career included time in Spain, with available basketball records documenting his participation in Spanish competition.
He also reportedly declared for the 2021 NBA Draft but went undrafted. That did not end his basketball career, as he continued playing professionally internationally afterward.
Pepe Garcia’s College Basketball Statistics
His official college career was relatively brief in terms of recorded game appearances. Available statistics show:
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6 feet 3 inches
- College: California State University, Fullerton
- College seasons: 2017–18 and 2018–19
- Career games recorded: 2
- Career scoring average: 3.5 points per game
- Career rebounding average: 2.5 rebounds per game
These figures refer specifically to his documented college statistics and do not represent his later professional basketball career.
Why Did Pepe Garcia Leave Professional Basketball?
Pepe eventually retired from professional basketball and moved toward fitness and entrepreneurship.
While appearing on Love Island USA, he explained that he had recently retired after playing professionally for several years. He also said he had opened a gym and an after-school program, showing that his post-basketball plans involved fitness and community-oriented work.
The transition gave him a career that remained connected to athletics without requiring him to compete professionally. Fitness training later became an important part of his public image.
Pepe Garcia’s Fitness Career
After basketball, Pepe developed a professional identity in the fitness industry. He has worked as a personal trainer and fitness coach, and his social media presence includes workout-focused material.
His athletic background naturally influenced this career change. Instead of moving completely away from sports, he shifted from playing basketball professionally to helping others with training and maintaining his own fitness-focused lifestyle.
Peacock’s 2026 description of Pepe confirms that he works as a fitness coach and regularly posts workout videos.
Pepe Garcia on Love Island USA
Pepe Garcia joined Love Island USA Season 7 as a bombshell on Day 9. The season aired in 2025 and introduced him to viewers as a former professional basketball player who was then working in fitness.
During his time in the villa, Pepe initially formed a connection with Hannah Fields. As the season progressed, however, his romantic journey changed and he eventually developed a relationship with Iris Kendall.
Pepe and Iris entered the final stretch of the competition together. They became one of the four couples to reach the season finale.
Pepe Garcia and Iris Kendall
Pepe Garcia’s relationship with Iris Kendall became one of the most searched parts of his Love Island story.
The two did not begin the season as a couple. Both entered the villa on Day 9 and initially had connections with other Islanders. Pepe had previously connected with Hannah Fields, while Iris had a connection with TJ Palma. Their relationship developed later in the season.
After leaving the villa, Pepe and Iris said they intended to explore their relationship outside the show rather than immediately pursue other romantic connections. They eventually reached the finale together and finished in fourth place.
Are Pepe Garcia and Iris Kendall Still Together?
No. Pepe Garcia and Iris Kendall are no longer together.
In August 2025, after their appearance on the Love Island USA reunion, Pepe confirmed that the relationship had ended. He described the experience of having their relationship watched publicly as difficult and said he was focusing on the future.
Iris also subsequently addressed the breakup publicly. The relationship therefore ended after the pair had finished fourth on Season 7 and initially tried to continue dating outside the villa.
Did Pepe Garcia Get Married?
Pepe Garcia has not been publicly documented as married. His most prominent recent relationship was with Iris Kendall, whom he met on Love Island USA Season 7.
That relationship ended in 2025, and there is no reliable public information establishing a later marriage as of 2026.
Does Pepe Garcia Have Children?
There is no reliable public information establishing that Pepe Garcia has children.
His public biographies and entertainment coverage have primarily focused on his basketball career, fitness work and Love Island relationships. Claims about children should therefore not be treated as established facts without stronger documentation.
What Is Pepe Garcia Doing Now?
As of 2026, Pepe Garcia continues working in the fitness space while remaining connected to reality television.
He is part of Love Island: Beyond the Villa Season 2, a series following former Love Island USA Season 7 Islanders after their original season. Peacock describes Pepe as a fitness coach who shares workout videos and notes that he joined the new series after his Season 7 appearance.
His current career therefore combines his previous athletic background with his newer role as a reality television personality and online fitness creator.
Pepe Garcia’s Television Projects
| Project | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Love Island USA Season 7 | 2025 | Contestant / Islander |
| Love Island: Beyond the Villa Season 2 | 2026 | Himself |
His Love Island USA appearance is the project that introduced him to a much wider entertainment audience. Television databases also list him as himself on Love Island: Beyond the Villa.
What Is Pepe Garcia’s Net Worth?
Pepe Garcia’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed by a reliable financial source.
His professional basketball career, fitness work, gym-related activities, television appearances and social media presence may all contribute to his income, but there is not enough verified financial information to provide a specific net-worth figure responsibly.
Online celebrity profiles sometimes publish numerical estimates, but such figures should not be treated as confirmed unless supported by reliable financial documentation.
Pepe Garcia’s Height
Pepe Garcia is listed at 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) in his Cal State Fullerton basketball profile. His height was recorded as part of his official college-athlete information.
His height is also consistent with basketball records that list him at 6-foot-3 and approximately 185 pounds during his college career.
Why Is Pepe Garcia Famous?
Pepe Garcia is primarily known for three connected parts of his public career: professional basketball, fitness and reality television.
His basketball background established his athletic career before he appeared on television. His work as a fitness coach then provided a natural transition after retirement from professional basketball. His Love Island USA appearance ultimately introduced him to a broader entertainment audience.
The combination of sports experience and reality television has made Pepe’s biography different from a conventional reality-star career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pepe Garcia
Who is Pepe Garcia?
Pepe Garcia is the professional and television name of Jose Garcia-Gonzalez, a former professional basketball player, fitness coach and reality television personality. He became widely known after appearing on Love Island USA Season 7 in 2025, where he reached the finale with Iris Kendall.
How old is Pepe Garcia?
Pepe Garcia was born on March 20, 1998. He is 28 years old in 2026. His birthplace is listed as Madrid, Spain, while his hometown is Los Alamitos, California.
When was Pepe Garcia born?
Pepe Garcia was born on March 20, 1998. His official Cal State Fullerton athlete profile identifies his birthplace as Madrid, Spain, and records Los Alamitos, California, as his hometown.
What does Pepe Garcia do for a living?
Pepe Garcia works as a fitness coach and reality television personality. Before entering entertainment, he played professional basketball for several years. His current public career combines fitness-related content with television appearances.
Was Pepe Garcia a professional basketball player?
Yes. Pepe Garcia played professional basketball after his college career. During Love Island USA, he said that he had played approximately six years of professional basketball before retiring and moving toward fitness. Basketball records also document his college career at Cal State Fullerton and later international competition.
Which season of Love Island USA was Pepe Garcia on?
Pepe Garcia appeared on Season 7 of Love Island USA in 2025. He entered the villa on Day 9 as a bombshell and later formed a relationship with Iris Kendall. The couple reached the final four and finished fourth.
Who was Pepe Garcia’s partner on Love Island?
Pepe Garcia’s main relationship on Love Island USA Season 7 was with Iris Kendall. They developed their connection later in the season, reached the finale together and finished in fourth place. They initially planned to continue dating after leaving the villa but confirmed their breakup in August 2025.
Are Pepe Garcia and Iris Kendall still together?
No. Pepe Garcia and Iris Kendall broke up after Love Island USA Season 7. Pepe confirmed the split in August 2025 following their fourth-place finish and subsequent attempts to continue their relationship outside the villa.
Is Pepe Garcia in Love Island: Beyond the Villa?
Yes. Pepe Garcia is part of the cast of Love Island: Beyond the Villa Season 2 in 2026. The series follows members of the Season 7 cast after their original Love Island USA experience, and Pepe continues to be described as a fitness coach.
What is Pepe Garcia’s net worth?
Pepe Garcia’s exact net worth has not been reliably confirmed. Although online estimates may circulate, there is insufficient verified financial information to establish a specific figure. His known professional activities include professional basketball, fitness coaching, gym-related work and reality television.
Conclusion
Pepe Garcia, born Jose Garcia-Gonzalez, built his public profile through a combination of professional basketball, fitness and reality television. After attending Los Alamitos High School and California State University, Fullerton, he continued his basketball career professionally before transitioning into fitness.
His appearance on Love Island USA Season 7 introduced him to a much larger entertainment audience, particularly through his relationship with Iris Kendall and their fourth-place finish. By 2026, Pepe remains active as a fitness coach and television personality, including an appearance on Love Island: Beyond the Villa Season 2.
