Amare Stoudemire Proposes to Alexis Welch After Dating Ciara
NBA star Amare Stoudemire is engaged to his long-time girlfriend and baby mama Alexis Welch just months after ending his relationship with singer Ciara.
Stoudemire, who is captain of the New York Knicks, proposed to the mother of his three children in Paris on Saturday, according to Us Magazine.
"I have been planning my proposal for a while and overlooking the entire Paris skyline seemed like a perfect place. I am so happy she said yes and now we can continue to build our life together as husband and wife," Stoudemire said in a statement to Us Weekly from Paris.
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The 29-year-old, who has been dating Welch since 2002, popped the question outside of their penthouse Le Meurice Hotel Belle Etoile Royal Suit overlooking the Eiffel Tower, shortly after the couple spent the day taking a private tour of Paris.
Welch's 8.5 carat radiant-cut diamond ring was designed by Stoudemire with Los Angeles-based celebrity jeweler Shayan Afshar, and is reportedly worth $1 million.
"Paris, the food, & lights were very romantic. When she said yes, it was surreal. I'm still floating. #engaged #blessed," Stoudemire wrote on Twitter shortly after his proposal.
Ciara also took to Twitter the same day and made reference to "rings," which some critics believe may have been a swipe at Stoudemire after learning about his engagement.
"Rings Stacked…Dress Balmain.#MTVMOVIEAWARDS," Ciara tweeted.
The pair reportedly dated in 2011 for several months but ended their affair after allegations of cheating on Stoudemire's part, according to The Urban Daily.
It is unclear whether Stoudemire and Welch were still romantically involved during the time that he dated Ciara, with the former couple making a number of public appearances together including that of his teammate Carmelo Anthony's son's birthday party.
The engagement news comes four months after Stoudemire's brother was tragically killed in a car accident in February, according to ESPN.
Hazell Stoudemire, 35, was reportedly driving a Cadillac Escalade north on U.S. 27 in Lake Wales, Fla., at a high speed and collided with a tractor trailer.
He was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt and was declared dead at the scene, according to a police report.
Stoudemire, who reportedly has Jewish roots, plans on marrying Welch in 2013 although it is unclear whether the couple will have a traditional Jewish ceremony.
