Beyond his professional endeavors with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jake LaRavia is also entering a thrilling new phase in his personal life. The 23-year-old forward is drawing attention not only for securing a fresh two-year deal with the Lakers but also for his blossoming relationship with Taja McLean.

Curious about his relationship status? As of late September 2025, LaRavia has taken a significant step forward—he and Taja have tied the knot. Their journey from a serendipitous meeting to marriage mirrors the upward trajectory of LaRavia’s career in basketball.

Who Is Taja McLean?

Frequently seen by the NBA player’s side, Taja McLean is a distinguished professional in her own right. She is a dedicated mental health expert, focusing on the well-being of children and families. With a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy, Taja is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist.

Taja manages Heart of Gold Counseling, infusing traditional therapy with creative arts to assist young clients facing challenges like anxiety and depression.

In addition to her therapeutic work, Taja is business-savvy, having held the role of Co-President at the Ivey Sales Club at Western University’s Ivey Business School.

How Did Jake LaRavia and Taja McLean Meet?

The tale of Jake and Taja’s first meeting is like a scene from a romantic film, closely linked to the start of his NBA career. They first crossed paths in 2022 during LaRavia’s pre-draft preparations. Coincidentally, they found themselves on the same flight to Toronto, where Jake was due for a workout with the Raptors. Remarkably, they didn’t exchange a single word throughout the flight.

The real meeting happened serendipitously the next day on a street in Toronto. Taja recognized Jake from the flight and approached him. As LaRavia recalled, she said, “Oh, you were on my flight.” She was participating in a work scavenger hunt and needed a picture with him for the activity, having noticed his name on his travel bag. After the photo was taken, Taja messaged Jake later that evening, sparking a connection that has lasted ever since.

The Proposal and Wedding

Jake LaRavia made his commitment to Taja official in April 2025. He shared the happy news on Instagram with a series of heartfelt photos from the proposal, captioning the post, “Thank You God, Where Our Story Began Another Chapter Continues Mr And Mrs LaRavia Loading…”. The announcement was made at the very spot in Toronto where they first met, and it drew enthusiastic congratulations from NBA peers like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. LaRavia had previously stated that getting engaged was “the first on my to-do list this offseason,” highlighting how important this step was for him.

The couple then tied the knot in a late September ceremony in 2025, just before the start of the Lakers’ Media Day for the 2025-26 season. LaRavia announced their marriage on his Instagram Stories, confirming that “Mr. and Mrs. LaRavia” had officially begun their life together. This timing meant Jake transitioned directly from his wedding celebrations to preparing for the new NBA season with his new team.

Jake LaRavia Future Plans and Family

As for what the future holds, the newlyweds are currently focused on building the foundations of their marriage. According to available public information, Jake LaRavia and Taja McLean do not have any children yet.

The couple just recently got married, and their focus appears to be on settling into their new life as a married couple while Jake navigates the early stages of his career with the high-profile Los Angeles Lakers.