Tyrese Haliburton Proposes to Longtime Girlfriend Jade Jones at Iowa State’s Basketball Arena — A Love Story That Comes Full Circle
For most people, a basketball arena is just a court — lines, hoops, bleachers, and echoes of cheering crowds. But for Tyrese Haliburton and Jade Jones, Iowa State University’s Hilton Coliseum isn’t just a place; it’s where their story began. It’s where friendship turned into love, where dreams first took shape, and where two young college kids began to imagine the lives they might someday build.
And now, years later, that same arena has witnessed another unforgettable moment: Haliburton’s proposal to Jade Jones, the woman who has stood beside him through every victory, every trade, and every challenge life has thrown his way.
Despite wearing a cast from a recent hand injury, the Indiana Pacers star wasn’t about to let that stop him from dropping to one knee. In true Tyrese fashion — resilient, determined, and full of heart — he made sure the proposal was perfect, heartfelt, and deeply meaningful.
“It all started here,” he told reporters later. “So I wanted our forever to start here too.”
A Love Rooted in the Past
Before Tyrese Haliburton became one of the NBA’s brightest young stars — an All-Star, team leader, and fan favorite — he was just a college kid with a dream, and Jade Jones was right there beside him.
They met at Iowa State University, where Haliburton played for the Cyclones and Jones was part of the school’s cheerleading team. Their paths crossed often during games and team events, but it wasn’t until after a few casual encounters that Tyrese worked up the courage to talk to her more.
“She had this energy — calm but strong,” he once said. “When she smiled, it just… hit different. I knew there was something about her.”
Their connection grew naturally — late-night talks after practice, long walks across campus, quick coffee runs before class. In a world obsessed with highlight reels and fast fame, their relationship moved at its own pace, built on authenticity and mutual respect.
Jones, known for her intelligence, warmth, and supportive spirit, quickly became a central part of Haliburton’s life. As his career took off, she was his anchor — keeping him grounded when the noise of success threatened to drown everything else out.
From College Sweethearts to Power Couple
When Haliburton declared for the 2020 NBA Draft, everything changed overnight. Suddenly, the quiet college player from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was in the national spotlight, drafted by the Sacramento Kings and later traded to the Indiana Pacers.
With fame came the typical challenges — a new city, relentless travel, media pressure, and the expectations of leading an NBA franchise. But through it all, Jade remained by his side.
“She’s seen every version of me,” Tyrese said in an interview last year. “The college kid trying to figure things out, the rookie trying to prove himself, the man learning to lead — she’s been there for all of it.”
The couple quickly became fan favorites, admired not only for their style and chemistry but also for their genuine affection for each other. Jade, who often attends Pacers games, became known among fans as Tyrese’s biggest supporter — always cheering, always smiling, always steady.
The Proposal — Returning to Where It Began
It was only fitting that Haliburton chose Iowa State’s Hilton Coliseum as the setting for his proposal. The arena that had witnessed his college rise and their early love story became the backdrop for one of the most emotional moments of their lives.
Sources close to the couple revealed that Tyrese meticulously planned every detail. The proposal took place on a quiet evening after Iowa State’s practice session had ended, with the arena lights dimmed except for a single spotlight shining on center court.
Jade, invited under the pretense of filming a short alumni feature with Tyrese, had no idea what was coming. As she entered the court, she noticed something unusual — rose petals scattered across the hardwood, candles flickering softly in the bleachers, and a banner hanging from the rafters that read:
“From Hilton Magic to Forever.”
Then, as soft music played through the arena speakers, Tyrese appeared — wearing a sleek suit, a protective cast on his hand, and a nervous smile that said everything.
“She started tearing up before I even said anything,” Tyrese laughed later. “And honestly, I was shaking. My hand was broken, but my heart was racing way more.”
Despite the cast limiting his movement, he found a way to drop to one knee — a moment that drew both laughter and tears.
“Even with one hand, I wasn’t letting her say no,” he joked.
The words he spoke next were simple, heartfelt, and true to who he is.
“This place gave me everything — my career, my dreams, and most importantly, you. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I want you by my side through all of it. Will you marry me?”
Jade, crying and smiling all at once, nodded before saying a soft but certain, “Yes.”
The couple embraced as confetti gently rained down from above — arranged by Tyrese’s former Iowa State teammates and staff, who had secretly helped coordinate the surprise.
A Symbolic Gesture
For fans and those close to the couple, the location of the proposal wasn’t just romantic — it was symbolic.
Hilton Coliseum represented the roots of who Tyrese is — not just as a player, but as a person. It’s where he first learned discipline, leadership, and perseverance. It’s also where he met the love of his life.
“That court holds every version of me,” he reflected afterward. “The kid who dreamed, the player who grew, and the man who found love. It’s full circle.”
Even his decision to propose while wearing a cast carried meaning. To him, it symbolized commitment through adversity — that love, like basketball, isn’t about perfection but persistence.
“Life won’t always be smooth,” he said. “But when you have the right person beside you, it doesn’t matter what gets in your way.”
The Engagement Celebration
Following the emotional proposal, Tyrese led Jade to a nearby room where family and close friends — including a few former teammates and coaches — were waiting to surprise her. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, tears, and joy.
A video of the proposal, shared later by the couple, quickly went viral on social media. Fans praised the thoughtfulness behind the gesture and the authenticity that has defined their relationship since day one.
“It wasn’t about luxury or showing off,” one fan commented. “It was about meaning. That’s what makes it so special.”
Even NBA players joined in on the congratulations.
- Buddy Hield, Haliburton’s former teammate and close friend, wrote: “My guy did it right! Congrats bro 🙌🏽💍.”
- Pacers teammate Bennedict Mathurin added: “Bro really dropped to one knee with a cast — that’s love 😂🔥.”
- And the Indiana Pacers’ official account posted: “He shoots, he scores! Congratulations to Tyrese and Jade 💙💍.”
The Couple’s Journey: Growth, Balance, and Faith
Haliburton and Jones’ love story has always been marked by balance — the way they’ve supported each other’s individual paths while staying unified as a team.
Jade, who has pursued her own career in wellness and lifestyle content, has often spoken about how their relationship is built on communication and shared values.
“We don’t just talk about basketball,” she said in an interview. “We talk about life — about goals, family, giving back. Tyrese isn’t just focused on being a great player; he wants to be a great man. That’s the person I fell in love with.”
Their relationship has become something of an inspiration among younger fans — a reminder that love doesn’t have to compete with ambition, but can instead fuel it.
“When you have someone who believes in you fully,” Tyrese said, “it changes everything. Jade’s been that person for me.”
Plans for the Future — The Wedding and Beyond
Though the couple hasn’t shared many details yet, insiders confirm that they plan to marry in the summer of 2026, possibly in Iowa or Indiana — both places that hold deep meaning for them.
The wedding, according to those close to them, will reflect who they are: elegant but genuine, heartfelt rather than extravagant.
“It’s not going to be about the spotlight,” Jade said recently. “It’s going to be about the people we love and the journey we’ve shared.”
As for Tyrese, he’s already joking about writing his vows like he writes plays — “carefully planned but from the heart.”
“I want it to be the kind of moment where everyone cries,” he said with a grin. “Then laughs right after.”
Fans React: “This Is What Love Looks Like”
When the engagement photos hit social media — Tyrese on one knee, cast and all, surrounded by the glow of arena lights — fans around the world couldn’t get enough. The images captured everything people love about him: humility, authenticity, and heart.
NBA fans flooded Twitter and Instagram with comments like:
- “This man just redefined ‘full-circle moment.’”
- “Not Tyrese proposing at Hilton Coliseum — that’s poetic!”
- “Even injured, he still knows how to make an assist — to his future wife.”
It wasn’t just about basketball anymore — it was about life, growth, and love that transcends fame.
The Heart Behind the Star
For all his success on the court — the All-Star honors, the leadership role in Indiana, and his growing legacy — Tyrese Haliburton has never lost sight of who he is. That humility, that deep sense of gratitude, is what makes this engagement feel so powerful.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot in my life,” he said, “but nothing compares to finding the person who truly sees you — not the player, not the public figure, but the person underneath. That’s what Jade does for me.”
Their story, from college sweethearts to lifelong partners, reflects something rare in sports and celebrity culture — a love that’s not built on spotlight moments, but on shared history and mutual respect.
“Every great story,” Tyrese added, “deserves a great ending. Or maybe, in our case, a new beginning.”
A Full-Circle Fairytale
As the lights dimmed that night in Hilton Coliseum, the echoes of their laughter and the applause of friends filled the same air that once carried the cheers of thousands.
For Tyrese and Jade, it wasn’t just an engagement — it was a return to the place where everything started, now transformed into the foundation of forever.
Even with a cast on his hand, Haliburton proved what everyone already knew about him — that his heart, both on and off the court, is unstoppable.
And as he held Jade’s hand, the ring glinting under the arena lights, he whispered something only she could hear — but the world could already feel:
“This is where our story began… and where it truly begins again.”
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