Draya Michele has always been a lightning rod for conversation. From her days on Basketball Wives LA to her evolution into a legitimate swimwear mogul with Mint Swim, she’s lived her life in front of a camera. But lately? The noise has reached a fever pitch. People are constantly asking who Draya Michele is dating, and honestly, the answer has sparked one of the most polarizing celebrity relationship debates in recent memory.
Basically, the "who" isn't a mystery anymore, but the "how" and the "why" keep everyone talking.
The Man in the Spotlight: Jalen Green
Draya is currently dating NBA star Jalen Green. If you follow basketball, you know him as the explosive shooting guard who recently moved to the Phoenix Suns after a major trade from the Houston Rockets. If you don't follow sports, you probably know him as the guy who is 17 years younger than Draya.
The two have been linked since at least August 2023. While they kept things relatively low-key at first—no big "hard launch" on the Instagram feed immediately—they weren't exactly hiding. They were spotted together at parties, courtside, and eventually, the news broke that they were expecting a child.
Why the Internet Lost Its Mind
The 17-year age gap is the elephant in the room. Draya turned 40 in early 2025. Jalen is 23. To put that into perspective, Draya’s oldest son, Kniko, is roughly the same age as her boyfriend.
The backlash was swift. People on social media had a lot to say about the "optics" of the relationship. However, Draya hasn't really blinked. In an interview with TMZ, she basically said that two adults being in love shouldn't rub people the wrong way and called the obsession with their age "kind of weird." Love is love, right?
A Mother’s Day Milestone
Whatever your opinion on the age gap, things got very serious, very fast. On May 12, 2024—which happened to be Mother’s Day—Draya and Jalen welcomed a daughter.
This was a deeply emotional moment for Draya. She shared on Instagram that Mother's Day had been a painful holiday for her since her father passed away on that same day in 2021. The birth of her daughter, whom she sometimes refers to as Lyght, seemingly "reclaimed" the day for her. While they’ve shared glimpses of the baby’s feet or the back of her head, they’ve been surprisingly protective of her privacy, often keeping her face blurred or covered in photos.
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The 2026 Status Check: Are They Still Together?
As of January 2026, Draya and Jalen are still very much a couple, though it hasn't been without some serious "he said, she said" drama.
Recently, the relationship hit a rocky patch that played out in a very public way. In late 2025, a video went viral showing Draya allegedly hitting Jalen in the back while they were walking in New York City during Fashion Week. Not long after, Draya posted a screenshot to her social media showing a long list of missed calls from someone she had saved in her phone as "Baby Boy Jalen."
- The "Baby Boy" Controversy: Social media users went wild over the contact name. Some found it demeaning given their age difference, while others saw it as just a silly pet name.
- The Phoenix Move: Since Jalen was traded to the Phoenix Suns, the dynamic has shifted. Draya has been spotted in Arizona, supporting him at games and balancing her life as a mother of three.
- The Family Unit: Despite the rumors of friction, they are still operating as a family unit. Just recently, in early January 2026, Draya was seen courtside with her son Jru and her daughter, watching Jalen play.
A Look Back: Draya's Dating History
To understand why this relationship is such a big deal, you have to look at where Draya came from. She’s had a string of high-profile relationships that usually ended in the tabloids.
- Chris Brown: Years ago, Draya was linked to the R&B singer. It was a chaotic time, and she later described it as a relationship filled with "too much fighting."
- Orlando Scandrick: This was her most significant long-term relationship before Jalen. She was engaged to the former NFL player, and they share a son named Jru. Their relationship was notoriously "on-again, off-again" for years before they officially called it quits in late 2019.
- Tyrod Taylor: She was briefly linked to the NFL quarterback around 2020, though that relationship never seemed to reach the level of her current situation with Green.
Navigating the Noise
What most people get wrong about Draya Michele's dating life is the assumption that she's looking for a "basketball wife" lifestyle. While she clearly has a type (elite athletes), she has built her own wealth. Mint Swim is a multi-million dollar brand. She’s not just a spectator; she’s a business owner who happens to be dating a much younger NBA star.
Jalen Green has also stepped up. Despite being a young star in the league with a massive contract extension—worth $106 million—he’s consistently defended Draya against the trolls. Even veteran NBA players like Draymond Green have weighed in, telling fans to "get out that man's business."
What’s Next for Draya and Jalen?
If you're following this saga, don't expect it to get quiet anytime soon. With Jalen's career in Phoenix and Draya's businesses thriving, they are a certified "power couple," even if the power is a little volatile.
If you want to keep up with the latest, keep an eye on Draya’s Instagram stories—that’s usually where the real tea gets spilled before it hits the blogs. Watch for her courtside appearances in Phoenix, as those are the best indicators of where they stand. Whether they are "good" or "on the rocks," they remain one of the most fascinating pairs to watch in 2026.
Check the latest NBA trade news if Jalen's performance starts to dip, as the media often correlates his on-court stats with his off-court relationship drama. Support Draya’s business ventures like Mint Swim if you want to see how she maintains her independence regardless of who she is dating.