SHE’S BEEN MY ROCK: Cleveland Cleavers Star Dovan Mitchell Stuns Fans with Surprise Engagement to Long-Time Girlfriend After Years of Private Romance
SHE’S BEEN MY ROCK: Cleveland Cleavers Star Dovan Mitchell Stuns Fans with Surprise Engagement to Long-Time Girlfriend After Years of Private Romance
CLEVELAND, OH — In a move that left fans both stunned and overjoyed, Cleveland Cleavers superstar Dovan Mitchell announced his engagement to his long-time girlfriend, Leila Carter, in a heartfelt Instagram post late Sunday night. The post, which featured a touching video montage and a shot of Mitchell down on one knee in a candle-lit garden, has already amassed millions of views and sent waves through the sports and entertainment worlds alike.
Mitchell, 29, who has been the face of the Cleavers franchise since his blockbuster trade to Cleveland in 2021, has largely kept his personal life out of the spotlight — until now. For years, speculation swirled around his private life, but the All-Star guard remained silent, choosing instead to focus on his career and community work. The engagement reveal marks the first time Mitchell has publicly acknowledged his relationship with Carter, a 31-year-old pediatric nurse and Cleveland native.
“She’s been my rock through everything,” Mitchell wrote in the caption, which accompanied a reel of the couple’s most intimate moments — from cozy vacations and family gatherings to quiet nights at home. “Through wins and losses, injuries and recoveries, she stood by me when no one was watching. I’m lucky to call her mine.”
According to close friends and team insiders, the couple has been together for nearly six years. The two reportedly met at a charity fundraiser in Salt Lake City during Mitchell’s time with the Utah Jazz and kept in touch even as their careers took them in different directions. When Mitchell moved to Cleveland, Carter followed quietly, avoiding the limelight while continuing her work in local hospitals.
“She’s always been incredibly private,” said one teammate, speaking anonymously. “But you could tell she meant the world to him. Dovan has never been this happy.”
While many sports stars are known for their high-profile relationships, Mitchell and Carter took a different approach — opting for discretion over drama. That decision, fans say, has only deepened the impact of the surprise announcement.
“This is the softest, most real thing I’ve ever seen,” commented one fan on Instagram. “You can tell it’s genuine. Not for show. Just love.”
Even the Cleveland Cleavers’ official account joined the celebration, reposting the announcement with the caption: “Congratulations to our guy Dovan and the future Mrs. Mitchell! 💍🖤”
Teammates, fellow NBA players, and celebrities flooded the post with congratulations. LeBron James commented with a string of heart emojis, while fellow Cleavers guard Jamal Rivers wrote, “She said yes! Let’s goooo!” Rapper and close friend J. Cole also shared a photo of the couple with the words “Real love. Respect.”
Despite the public reaction, the couple appears to be staying true to their low-key nature. Sources close to Mitchell say the wedding is likely to be an intimate affair with close family and friends, possibly in the fall of next year.
Carter has yet to post publicly about the engagement, but was seen beaming in the video wearing a sparkling oval-cut diamond ring. According to jewelers, the ring is estimated to be worth over $150,000 — but for Mitchell, the true value lies in the bond it symbolizes.
“I wanted the moment to be just ours,” Mitchell said in a follow-up Instagram Story. “Now that the world knows, I just want to say thank you — for the love, the support, and for respecting our journey.”
As Mitchell prepares for what could be a championship-contending season with the Cleavers, fans now have one more reason to cheer: their favorite player has score
d big off the court, too.
