Parents of Tyrese Haliburton’s girlfriend, Jade Jones, played a quiet but powerful role in her journey.
Jade Jones has captured public attention not only for her own accomplishments but also as the longtime girlfriend of NBA star Tyrese Haliburton.
Born in January 1998 and raised in Iowa, Jones has built her own identity while supporting one of basketball’s rising stars throughout his professional career.
Jones pursued her passion for education early in life, working as an elementary school teacher in her home state of Iowa.
Her dedication to teaching shines through in her heartfelt social media posts about her students.
In 2018, she paid tribute to her first-grade class, writing about how they showed her “the reason why I am pursuing my dream of teaching” and expressing her love for learning alongside them.
Her athletic background includes cheerleading, which she participated in during high school and continued at Iowa State University.
Jones describes cheerleading as an integral part of her college experience, noting that she “truly couldn’t imagine my life without this sport.”
The sport carried her on what she calls “a journey that I will never forget,” culminating when she finished her final season in March 2020.
Jones met Haliburton while both attended Iowa State University, where she cheered for the Cyclones and he played basketball.
Their relationship began in April 2019, and the couple recently celebrated their sixth anniversary in April 2025.
Jones frequently describes herself as Haliburton’s “biggest cheerleader,” a role she takes seriously both literally and figuratively.
Throughout Haliburton’s NBA career, Jones has remained a constant presence.
She regularly attends his games, traveling from Sacramento during his time with the Kings to Indianapolis for his current tenure with the Pacers.
Her support extends beyond domestic games—she even traveled to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics to watch Haliburton represent Team USA, celebrating his gold medal victory with an enthusiastic Instagram post.
Jones maintains an active social media presence with over 40,000 Instagram followers.
Her posts frequently feature moments with Haliburton, their shared travels, and their beloved mini goldendoodle, Ames, named after the Iowa city where they first met.
The couple’s relationship appears strong and supportive, with Haliburton often commenting on her posts with loving messages.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Girlfriend, Jade Jones, Was Raised By Strong Parents
Behind Jade Jones’ success and supportive nature stands a family that has clearly instilled strong values in her.
Her parents, Michael David Jones and Lori McKinley, each bring their own backgrounds and experiences to their daughter’s upbringing.
Lori McKinley, Jones’ mother, has built a distinguished career in healthcare, specifically in women’s medical imaging.
She serves as a mammographer and breast sonographer at the Genesis Center for Breast Health, with a specialization in breast imaging
McKinley has demonstrated remarkable longevity in her profession, serving as a breast sonographer at Genesis Medical Center-East Campus since July 1995—a career spanning nearly three decades.
McKinley’s dedication to her work in breast health imaging represents a crucial role in women’s healthcare, as mammography and breast sonography serve as essential tools for early detection and diagnosis of breast conditions.
Her nearly 30-year tenure at Genesis Medical Center suggests both expertise and commitment to her patients and profession.
Currently residing in Bettendorf, Iowa, McKinley originally hails from Galesburg, Illinois.
Her Midwestern roots align with the family’s Iowa connections, where Jade grew up and attended college.
The stability of McKinley’s long-term employment and residence in the area likely provided Jade with a strong foundation during her formative years.
Michael David Jones, Jade’s father, brings his own Midwestern background to the family.
He attended Davenport West High School and currently lives in Davenport, Iowa, maintaining the family’s strong ties to the region.
Interestingly, Michael’s origins trace back to Saddletree, North Carolina, suggesting the family has roots that extend beyond the Midwest.
The geographic proximity of both parents—with Lori in Bettendorf and Michael in Davenport—indicates a close-knit family structure.
Both cities sit along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa, separated by just a few miles, which likely facilitated Jade’s upbringing with both parents accessible.
Nonetheless, Jones’ parents have maintained a relatively private profile compared to their daughter’s public presence, but their influence appears evident in Jade’s character.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- She and Haliburton got their dog during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
- Jones ran down from the stands and jumped into Haliburton’s arms at Madison Square Garden after Indiana’s 138-135 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
- Her family wore custom t-shirts with Haliburton’s face on them to a Pacers game in 2024.
