Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton married his college sweetheart Jade Jones on Tuesday, less than a month after the tragic death of a close friend during a bachelorette party in St. Barts.
The couple officially tied the knot at the Indianapolis Marriage License Office, with a small group of loved ones present. Jones shared the news on Instagram, posting photos from the courthouse ceremony. Haliburton wore a dark t-shirt and pants, while Jones donned a white dress and carried a bouquet.
Their wedding followed a difficult period for Jones, whose friend Makenzi Kern died unexpectedly on June 8 at the age of 26. Kern passed away just two days after her birthday while on a trip to St. Barthelemy Island with friends, including Jones. A representative for Kern's family stated that her death was due to unforeseen health complications and that foul play, drugs, or alcohol were not suspected.
Jones posted an emotional tribute to Kern on social media, calling her a "light in this world" and expressing gratitude for their friendship. Kern and Jones were former cheerleading teammates at Iowa State University, where Haliburton also played college basketball. The couple began dating in 2019 while still students and Haliburton proposed in 2025. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2020 before being traded to the Indiana Pacers, whom he led to the NBA Finals in 2025, though an Achilles injury sidelined him for the following season.