Stephen Curry—known by fans as “Steph” Curry—was drafted in the NBA in 2009 by the Golden State Warriors. He’s spent his entire NBA career as a Warrior, continuing to impress fans with his hard work, talent, and ambition. While he’s beloved on the court, he’s also beloved off the court. He and his wife Ayesha Curry are a fan-favorite NBA couple with a dreamy love story.
Steph and Ayesha met as teenagers at a youth group event in North Carolina in 2003 and reconnected as adults in 2008. And they hit it off immediately. They were engaged by 2010 and married in 2011—in the church where they met just nine years before. They now have two daughters, Riley and Ryan, and one son, Canon. They’re the ultimate power couple.
Former basketball player Dwyane Wade spent the majority of his successful NBA career with the Miami Heat. He was drafted in 2003 and announced his retirement in 2019. In the midst of his career, Wade met Gabrielle Union. After his problematic relationship with Siohvaghn Funches and their very public divorce, fans were happy to see Wade and Union’s debut.
They were engaged in 2013 and married in 2014 in Miami. Union became the stepmother to Wade’s three sons, Zaire, Zion, and Xavier, and mother to daughter Kaavia in 2018 through surrogacy. They also adopted Wade’s nephew, Dahveon. Although Wade is retired, Gabrielle continues to work as an actress, voice artist, activist, and author. And Dwyane and Gabrielle are known for their philanthropic endeavors.
One of the sweetest NBA love stories is about LeBron and Savannah James. The high school sweethearts had their first date in 2002. By 2003, Lebron was the top pick in the NBA draft and began playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite his successful career, the couple stayed together. He’s now regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time! And he and Savannah are regarded as an NBA power couple.
Their enduring romance has lasted for almost two decades. LeBron proposed in 2011 and they married in 2013. It was a wedding to remember. Many NBA stars were in attendance and Beyonce and Jay-Z performed. They now have three children together—Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri. Lebron currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s a three-time NBA champion and a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Professional basketball player J.J. Barea began his NBA career in 2006. He was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks and stayed with them for five seasons. In 2011, he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but only played with them for three seasons. He resigned with the Dallas Mavericks in 2014, and has been with them ever since!
Around the time he made his return to Dallas, J.J. met Viviana Ortiz. She was crowned Miss Puerto Rico in 2011, and works as an actress and model. They began dating in 2013, gave birth to a daughter in March of 2016, and married in August of 2016. The wedding featured a lavish ceremony in Puerto Rico.
Family, friends, and fans continue to mourn the tragic and unexpected passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi Bryant. Although Kobe is no longer here, it’s impossible not to acknowledge the loving relationship he had with his wife, Vanessa Bryant. The couple were married for 19 years before his death in January of 2020.
They met when she was only 17 and he 20. Vanessa was still a senior in high school. Kobe asked for her number in 1999 and proposed to her in 2000—at her 18th birthday party. They wed in 2001 and remained happily together until his death, despite doubts. Kobe had a 20-season career with the Los Angeles Lakers, retiring in 2016 after winning five championships and four MVP awards. The couple had four beautiful daughters together—Natalia, Bianka, Gianna, and Capri. Kobe was proud to be a girl dad and loved the women in his life. They will always be one of the NBA’s most beloved couples.
Draymond Green is a three-time NBA champion and three-time all-star that currently plays for the Golden State Warriors. He was drafted in 2012, right after finishing college. He’s been with the Warriors ever since. Not only is he a valuable player on the court, but he’s a motivating and vocal leader off the court.
As he settled into his NBA career, he fell in love with actress and TV personality Hazel Renee, who is best known for her appearances in Empire, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Basketball Wives. Draymond proposed to her in February of 2019 with a $300,000 ring. NBC Sports reported that they were planning their wedding around the 2020 Olympics because Draymond hopes to represent team USA.
Russell Westbrook is a Houston Rockets basketball player, nine-time NBA all-star, and 2016-2017 MVP titleholder. He’s had an impressive career with the NBA thus far and is considered to be one of the top NBA players of 2019-2020. When the elite athlete is not on the court, in the weight room, or at the gym, he’s with his wife Nina Earl Westbrook.
Russell and Nina are college sweethearts. Nina played for the UCLA women’s basketball team and Russell played for the UCLA men’s basketball team. In August of 2015, the couple married. They had their eldest son Noah in May of 2017, and twin daughters Jordan and Skye in November of 2018.
In 2019, Forbes named Al Horford one of the world’s highest paid athletes. The basketball star is worth an estimated $32 million—and he’s only 33 years old! He first signed with the Atlanta Hawks in 2007, then landed with the Boston Celtics in 2016. He recently signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2019-2020 season. In addition to talent, fame, and fortune, the NBA player also has love.
In 2011, he married former Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega—the tallest Miss Universe to date. She’s 6 foot 2 inches and he’s 6 foot 10 inches. They dated for two years before being wed. They’re now proud parents of three—one son and two daughters.
Drafted in 2007, Joakim Noah has spent the majority of his adult life as a professional basketball player. Throughout his 14-year career, he’s played center for the Chicago Bulls, the New York Knicks, and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Although the decision to become an NBA player was easy, Noah said that proposing to his girlfriend Lais Ribeiro was “the easiest decision of his life.” Lais Ribeiro is a Victoria’s Secret Angel with a successful modeling career. The couple got engaged in August of 2019 at Burning Man, an annual cultural event where a temporary metropolis is created. This “city” is dedicated to art and community, and is Ribeiro’s favorite place in the world—making their engagement even more sentimental!
Kevin Love is a Cleveland Cavaliers NBA player and five-time all-star. He was first drafted in 2008 in the first round. Since 2008, his success has been and continues to be immense! The same can be said of his longtime girlfriend Kate Bock.
Kate is a Canadian model known for her appearances in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues. She’s beautiful and busy. Although they’re not married, they are exclusive! The couple has been dating since 2016. He lives in Cleveland and she resides in New York. They travel back and forth often to spend time with one another.
Unlike many NBA couples, both Grant and Tamia Hill are celebrities in their own right. Grant is a former NBA player and the co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks. Tamia is an actress, producer, and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter. Although they’re both busy with their careers, they still make time for one another.
Their relationship is a relationship with longevity! Grant and Tamia celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in 2019. They met on a blind date in 1996 and married in 1999. They now have two daughters—Myla Grace, who was born in 2002, and Lael Rose, who was born in 2007.
Chris and Adrienne Bosh are one of the most popular NBA couples. The Miami Heat star married the talented model and actress in July of 2011. And the wedding was lavish! Adrienne wore an Oscar de la Renta gown and custom Christian Louboutin heels. Their guest list included Serena Willams, Gabrielle Union, Lebron James, and many other big names. It was reported that the wedding cost $300,000.
Although they love costly, romantic gestures, they also support a number of wonderful philanthropies. When they’re not at basketball games or charitable events, they are spending time with their four children—-Jackson, Dylan, Phoenix, and Lennox.
Chris and Jada Paul are one of the most underrated NBA couples. They met in 2003 at a Wake Forest University basketball game and hit it off immediately! Chris was a college basketball star. He broke records for assists, steals, three-pointers, and free throws while at Wake Forest. You could see why Jada would’ve fallen for him. He was drafted by the NBA in 2005 and has played for the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Houston Rockets. And he’s currently playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The couple began dating soon after their first encounter and Paul proposed in 2010—at the gymnasium where they first met. They married in 2011 and are still together today. They have two children—Christopher, who was born in 2009, and Camryn, who was born in 2012. Jada has been Chris’s biggest fan throughout his entire NBA career!
Magic Johnson is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played professional basketball from 1980 to 1996. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships and earned them lots of awards and recognition. Until Lebron James, Magic Johnson was the player to watch. He retired in 1996, after revealing his HIV-positive diagnosis to fans.
His wife, Cookie, was by his side through it all. They married in 1991. Magic revealed his diagnosis to her just 45 days before their wedding. She has been a loving and supportive wife and an advocate for HIV awareness programs ever since. They have three children together—Andre, E.J., and Elisa.
Retired Russian NBA star Andrei Kirilenko was drafted in 1999 by the Utah Jazz. He was only 18, making him the youngest foreign player at the time to be drafted in the NBA. He played for many teams during his career, but his longest stint was with Utah. He retired in 2015 and is remembered for his versatility on the court.
Andrei is married to Russian pop singer Masha “Marina” Lopatova, who goes by the stage name MaLo. She’s the daughter of Russian basketball player Andrey Lopatov, so it’s fitting she married an NBA player. In 2014, Masha opened a fashion firm called Fashion IQ in NYC. They have three sons and one daughter.
After playing just one season of college basketball for the Florida Gators, Bradley Beal was drafted by the Washington Wizards. He was only 19 at the time and already on the path to success. It’s now 2020 and the two-time all-star’s career continues to flourish.
Beal’s love life has also flourished in recent years. In 2015, he met Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood actress Kamiah Adams. They had their first son together in 2018 and their second son in 2019—Bradley Jr. and Braylon. And in January of 2020, Beal proposed! The couple is happily engaged after four years of dating.
NBA player Isaiah Thomas (not to be confused with former Detroit Pistons guard Isiah Thomas—who he’s named after) was drafted in 2011. He’s played for the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver Nuggets. Despite the many teams he’s been a part of, Thomas is currently a free agent on the court—but not off the court.
In August of 2016, Isaiah Thomas married Kayla Wallace at the Experience Music Project Museum in Seattle. The couple met in high school and dated for years before marrying. They now have two sweet sons, James and Jaiden.
Lauren Cheney and Jrue Holiday met while they were studying and playing sports at UCLA in 2008. Lauren was a star soccer player for the U.S. team, and Jrue was making a name for himself as a point guard in the NBA. Their connection blossomed, leading to marriage in 2013. They now have a loving family with two children, Jrue Tyler and Hendrix.
Despite their busy careers, they prioritize their family life, often sharing glimpses of their happy moments on social media. Both Lauren and Jrue are admired not only for their athletic achievements but also for their commitment to each other and their children. Their journey together inspires many, showing that love knows no bounds, whether on the soccer field or the basketball court, and that strong relationships can thrive amidst the demands of professional sports.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger are a caring and generous couple, deeply committed to their family and community. Mariah, originally from Fresno, California, is engaged to Giannis, a renowned NBA player. Their family expanded joyously with the births of their three children: Liam in February 2020, Maverick in August 2021, and Eva in September 2023.
Their love extends beyond their family, as they have shown immense generosity during challenging times. In March 2020, Giannis and his family pledged $100,000 to support the staff of the Fiserv Forum during the NBA season suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, they donated 20,000 masks to communities in Athens and Zografou, Greece, in 2020. Their actions exemplify kindness and empathy, reflecting a commitment to making a positive impact both in their personal lives and in the broader world around them.
Kawhi Leonard and Kishele Shipley form a devoted couple, rooted in family and support. They are proud parents of two children, with Shipley holding a degree in public administration from San Diego State University. Although her professional role in Los Angeles remains unclear, Shipley is committed to her career aspirations while Leonard dedicates time to family when not playing basketball. Similar to Shipley's preference for privacy, they maintain a low profile, abstaining from social media.
Their daughter Kaliyah, shielded from media attention, made a rare appearance at the 2019 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. Leonard's commitment to family was evident when he missed a game in 2019 for the birth of their son. Shipley's unwavering support was instrumental as Leonard led the Raptors to an NBA championship in 2019. Together, they celebrated their victory with a family trip to Barbados, showcasing their bond and love for each other amidst Leonard's basketball successes.
