People love to talk. Especially when there is a 17-year age gap and a professional athlete involved. Ever since rumors first started swirling in August 2023 about Jalen Green and Draya Michele, the internet has basically been in a constant state of "wait, what?"
It wasn’t just the age difference that had people typing away. It was the timing. The context. The fact that Draya’s oldest son, Kniko, is essentially the same age as Jalen. But while social media users were busy writing think pieces, Jalen and Draya were busy building a life that most people only see in snippets on an Instagram Story.
The Relationship Timeline: How Jalen Green and Draya Michele Actually Met
Forget the theories about who "hunted" who. In a 2025 interview with Whistle, Jalen cleared the air. He was the one who slid into Draya’s DMs. Honestly, it’s a classic story of "shooting your shot." He tells everyone that, too. He’s not shy about it. Draya looked visibly relieved when he admitted it on camera, joking to the audience, "Did everyone hear that?"
They were first spotted together in late 2023. By January 2024, the rumors hit a fever pitch when Draya showed up to a Houston Rockets game in overalls. People saw a bump. They speculated. Draya, being the media veteran she is, didn't confirm anything until International Women’s Day in March 2024.
The Arrival of Lyght Green
On May 12, 2024—Mother’s Day—Draya gave birth to their daughter. They named her Lyght Green. The name choice sparked its own mini-controversy because, well, the internet has an opinion on everything. But for Draya, the date was deeply personal. Her father had passed away on Mother’s Day back in 2021. Bringing a new life into the world on that specific day was a full-circle moment that she described as "bittersweet but healing."
Jalen has been vocal about how becoming a father to Lyght changed his perspective. He’s always been a high-flyer on the court, but now he talks about "family" and "his baby" as his primary motivation. He even got a "Draya" tattoo to match the commitment.
The Move to Phoenix and the NBA Trade Drama
Life comes at you fast in the NBA. In July 2025, Jalen Green was part of a massive seven-team blockbuster trade. He was sent from the Houston Rockets—the only professional home he’d ever known—to the Phoenix Suns. It was a huge shakeup.
Draya didn't miss a beat. She’s been through the "WAG" lifestyle before during her time with Orlando Scandrick, so she knew the drill. She handled the entire relocation to Arizona. "He's not gonna have to lift a finger," she told reporters. She wanted him to focus on basketball while she managed the chaos of moving a family and a newborn across state lines.
Jalen’s 2025-2026 Season Struggles
The current 2025-2026 season hasn't been easy for Jalen. As of January 2026, he’s been sidelined with a persistent right hamstring strain. He hasn't played a full game since early November 2025. It’s a frustrating stretch for a guy who used to be an "iron man" in Houston, rarely missing a night.
Even while injured, he’s been a fixture at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. Just recently, in early January 2026, Draya was spotted courtside with her kids, including Lyght and her younger son Jru, supporting Jalen while he sat on the bench in street clothes. The Suns have been cautious, recently announcing that he’ll be re-evaluated toward the end of January. They need him healthy if they’re going to make a serious playoff run.
Why the Scrutiny Persists
Let’s be real: people are still hung up on the "20 vs. 40" dynamic. Draya has heard it all. She’s been called "predatory," "manipulative," and everything in between. Her response? She calls it "ageist."
In a heated exchange on TikTok in mid-2025, she compared the backlash to other forms of discrimination. She argued that if two adults are in love, the rest is just noise. "I don't know what people's problem is," she told TMZ. "Love is love."
It’s an interesting case study in how we view celebrity couples. When an older male actor dates a 20-year-old, it’s a Tuesday. When Draya Michele does it, it’s a national headline.
Managing a Blended Family
One thing people often overlook is how Draya manages her household. She has three children now:
- Kniko, who is in his early 20s.
- Jru Scandrick, her son with former NFL star Orlando Scandrick.
- Lyght Green, her daughter with Jalen.
Managing that dynamic—especially when your oldest son is a peer to your current partner—takes a level of "don't-care-what-you-think" energy that Draya has mastered over a decade in the spotlight. She’s focused on her swimwear line, Mint Swim, and her new wellness brand, Sereniby, which actually focuses on clean air technology for babies. She's turned the controversy into a platform for her businesses.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that this was some "trap" or a fleeting "fling." We are now going into 2026, and they are still together, navigating trades, injuries, and the standard chaos of raising a toddler.
They aren't the first "controversial" couple, and they won't be the last. But they seem to have a system that works for them. Jalen plays (when healthy), Draya builds brands, and they keep the inner workings of their relationship relatively private, despite the occasional "Relationship Quiz" or Instagram photo dump.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re following this story because you’re interested in the business or lifestyle side of things, there are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Monitor Jalen's Return: Watch the Phoenix Suns' injury reports toward late January 2026. His return will significantly impact the Suns' betting odds and Western Conference standings.
- Draya's Business Moves: Watch the growth of Sereniby. Celebrity moms often pivot into the wellness space, and her focus on infant health technology is a specific niche that could see significant investment this year.
- The "Ageist" Debate: The conversation Draya started about ageism in dating isn't going away. It’s becoming a broader cultural touchpoint regarding gender double standards in Hollywood and sports.
Ultimately, whether you agree with the pairing or not, the "Jalen and Draya" saga has moved past being a tabloid headline and into a legitimate partnership that has survived the high-pressure cooker of the NBA.