College basketball fans were left stunned — and thrilled — after Michigan State Spartans star guard Jase Richardson dropped a surprise announcement late Saturday night: he’s officially engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Aria Monroe, a pre-med student at Michigan State. The rising NCAA sensation revealed the news in a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a sunset beach proposal, complete with fairy lights, close friends, and a discreetly hired violinist.
The caption read: “From high school sweethearts to forever. I couldn’t imagine this journey without you by my side. Here’s to the next chapter. 💍❤️ #SheSaidYes #SpartanLove”
Within minutes, social media was abuzz. The post racked up over 1 million likes in 6 hours, with congratulatory messages pouring in from fellow athletes, celebrities, and fans alike — including comments from NBA stars LeBron James, Jalen Rose, and even Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, who jokingly commented, “Just make sure the honeymoon is after March Madness!”
Richardson, 20, is considered one of the top collegiate players in the country and a projected lottery pick in next year’s NBA Draft. But for those close to him, this move wasn’t entirely unexpected. The couple met during their junior year of high school in Las Vegas and have been inseparable ever since. Sources close to the pair say the relationship has remained rock-solid, even amid the pressure of national attention and athletic stardom.
What really has fans buzzing, however, are the wedding plans.
According to an exclusive source, the ceremony is set for next summer in Lake Como, Italy, with a star-studded guest list expected to include both sports and entertainment figures. Aria is said to be designing her own dress with the help of an elite fashion house, and Jase plans to have his Spartans teammates play key roles in the ceremony — including a rumored best-man speech from fellow MSU standout, Trey Holloman.
While many athletes wait until after the NBA draft to settle down, Jase told Spartan Nation Daily, “Aria’s been with me before the highlight reels and the cameras. I wanted to show her that love doesn’t wait.”
With March Madness just months away and an NBA career on the horizon, it seems like 2025 is shaping up to be a dream year for Jase Richardson — both on and off the court.
