The Houston Rockets star Jalen Green got people talking with his birthday tribute to girlfriend Draya Michele.
On Thursday (January 23), he posted an Instagram birthday wish for Michele’s 40th that caught attention – showing him holding her from behind with his hands on her backside.
“Happy Pday to the realest on my side,” he wrote on his Story. “I love you [Draya].”
The post shows they’re still tight despite all the talk about their relationship. Green and Michele got together in summer 2023, catching heat for their 18-year age gap. Michele came into the relationship with two kids: Jru Scandrick (born 2016) and Kniko Howard (born 2002) – the same year Green was born.
They tackled the criticism in a June 2024 TMZ Sports interview, just after having their first baby together.
“We try to stay off the internet and not really listen to that kind of stuff,” Michele told them while they were with their newborn. “We also don’t care,” Green added.
“We block it out and we mind our business,” Michele said. “I don’t know what people’s problem is. Two adults being in love? I don’t know why that would rub people the wrong way. It’s kind of weird. Love is love at the end of the day.”
When asked about having more kids, Michele just said, “Who knows.”
Right before Green and Michele had their baby, he welcomed a daughter with 23-year-old Myah Iakopo. TMZ broke the news last May that his first daughter was born February 12.
Sources told them Green and Iakopo had history but weren’t seriously dating. They said the parents get along, with Green being involved and supporting the baby financially.
Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham just addressed his court rivalry with Green on TNT’s NBA Tuesday. “It’s exactly that, we want to compete against each other,” Cunningham said. “They’ve always put us up against each other since high school as far as who is better, and I think we both kind of enjoy to be able to head up against each other and see who’s the best.”
