Max Christie, an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, is reportedly in a relationship with actress Jenna Ortega.
Christie, born on February 10, 2003, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, began his basketball journey at Rolling Meadows High School, where his talent quickly stood out.
His impressive high school career earned him the prestigious honors of Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year and selection to the McDonald’s All-American Game.
As a senior, he led his team to an undefeated season, averaging 24 points, 10.1 rebounds, and over three assists and steals per game.
Christie’s exceptional performance made him a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top shooting guards in the 2021 class.
Choosing Michigan State over powerhouse programs like Duke and Villanova, he set the stage for the next chapter of his basketball career.
At Michigan State, he had a strong freshman season, starting all 35 games and averaging 9.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
His performance also earned him a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Following his success at Michigan State, Christie declared for the 2022 NBA draft and was selected 35th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.
His professional career started in the NBA Summer League, where he impressed with five points and nine rebounds in a California Classic win over the Miami Heat.
In December 2023, he reached a major milestone when the Lakers won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament.
July 2024 marked a turning point in his career as he agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal with the Lakers.
Beyond his accomplishments in the NBA, Christie has also made an impact on the international stage.
In 2019, he represented the United States at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship, averaging 9.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while helping his team win a gold medal.
Max Christie and Jenna Ortega’s Malibu Sighting Intensifies Relationship Buzz
Max Christie has garnered attention not only for his promising on-court performances but also for his intriguing personal life.
While fans speculate about his romantic relationships, Christie has remained private, choosing not to confirm or deny any connection with his rumored girlfriend, actress Jenna Ortega.
In October 2024, rumors of a relationship between Christie and Ortega took center stage after the two were reportedly seen together at Nobu in Malibu.
Eyewitnesses claimed they were holding hands and appeared affectionate, which only fueled the speculation.
Observers described the pair as “all over each other,” leading many to believe they had been seeing each other for weeks.
JUST IN: Lakers star guard Max Christie was spotted at Nobu in Malibu last night with actress Jenna Ortega holding hands and “all over each other” after recent rumors that the 2 have been seeing each other. pic.twitter.com/A8XIohlSrI
— SMJ (@SixthManJake) October 9, 2024
Despite the growing buzz, neither Christie nor Ortega has publicly addressed the rumors or confirmed the nature of their relationship.
The sighting, however, has made them a popular topic of conversation, bridging the worlds of sports and entertainment.
As of November 2024, there remains no official confirmation regarding Christie’s current relationship status.
He seems to be prioritizing his basketball career with the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving fans to wonder about the truth behind the rumors.
Max Christie Previously Dated Sydney Parrish, a Basketball Star
Before the recent buzz about Max Christie’s personal life, Max Christie was in a well-known relationship with Sydney Parrish, a talented basketball player for the Indiana Hoosiers.
Parrish and Christie’s relationship became public in June 2022 when Parrish shared a now-deleted Instagram post featuring heartfelt photos, expressing pride in Christie’s achievements and excitement about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers.
After making their relationship public, they often showcased their bond on social media.
They were seen supporting each other at games and sharing glimpses of their personal lives, which resonated with their followers.
However, their seemingly strong relationship hit a rough patch in November 2023 when allegations of infidelity against Max Christie surfaced.
Two Instagram models accused Christie of being unfaithful to Parrish, with one model implying she had interacted with an unnamed Lakers player. She shared:
I was talking to this guy last night, and he put me on a time limit. He was like, ‘Can we get right into it?’ It was a Laker guy.
Via Sportskeeda
The other model went further, explicitly naming Max Christie in a public accusation, saying:
Max Cristie, f*** you cause you got a girlfriend, you be adding my b**** back to f*** her, even though you’re not getting any p**** from her cause she’s more respectful.
Via Sportskeeda
This gotta be true because why in the hell would they lie on Max Christie of all NBA players’ name lmaoo pic.twitter.com/7IIwkvPJOS
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) November 15, 2023
These accusations drew significant public attention, leading to widespread speculation and criticism.
Ultimately, the fallout resulted in the breakup of Christie and Parrish, marking the end of their highly publicized relationship.
Parrish, born on October 10, 2001, in Indiana to Shawn and Aimee, showcased her basketball talent early at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana.
During her junior year, she averaged 21.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, playing a crucial role in her team’s state finals victory.
She averaged 24.8 points per game in her senior year and led her team to the IHSAA Class 4A state championship.
In 2020, she was honored with the Indiana Miss Basketball award, solidifying her reputation as an elite player.
In college, Parrish started at the University of Oregon, where she improved steadily over two seasons, averaging 8.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
She transferred to Indiana University Bloomington in 2022, where she continued to thrive, earning an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2023.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- His mother, Katrina (née Hannaford), excelled in college basketball at Northwestern and now works as a psychologist, while his father, Max Sr., played basketball at Parkland College and Wisconsin–Superior before becoming an aircraft pilot.
- On June 27, 2024, Cam Christie, his younger brother, was chosen as the 46th overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Draft.
