Jelissa Hardy spent a decade with NBA star Draymond Green, starting when they were college students at Michigan State University. The Saginaw, Michigan native graduated with an English degree in 2012 and briefly pursued modeling before motherhood became her focus. Their relationship ended in October 2017 after Green’s basketball fame grew.
She shares a son with Green and has a daughter from a previous relationship. Hardy chose complete privacy after the breakup, avoiding social media and public appearances. Her approach shows how some people connected to professional athletes prefer family life over the spotlight.
Jelissa Hardy Bio/Wiki
| Facts | Information |
| Full Name | Jelissa Hardy |
| Hometown | Saginaw, Michigan |
| Education | B.A. English, Michigan State University (2012) |
| Children | 2 — Kyla Dior, Draymond Jamal Green Jr. |
| Relationship Duration | 2007 – October 2017 (10 years, 9 months) |
| Early Career Interests | Broadcasting, Modeling |
| Sister | Nicquel Terry (Detroit News reporter) |
| Current Focus | Private life, co-parenting |
Jelissa Hardy Early Life and Athletic Background in Saginaw
Jelissa Hardy grew up in Saginaw, Michigan and attended Heritage High School with Draymond Green. She competed in basketball and track until back injuries ended her athletic career. Her sister, Nicquel Terry, works as a reporter for the Detroit News.
Hardy became a mother at age 20 when her daughter Kyla Dior was born. Her mother and aunt helped set up her first modeling photo shoot in their family living room. She described herself as a “goal-digger” during her college years, balancing single motherhood with education goals.
Before attending Michigan State, Hardy worked in daycare and at a Best Buy in Lansing, Michigan. These early jobs supported her while raising Kyla as a young mother. The experience shaped her focus on financial independence and completing her degree.
Michigan State University Education
Hardy enrolled at Michigan State University’s College of Arts and Letters to study English. She participated in the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience and the Armstrong Hall Black Caucus during her campus years. She reconnected with Draymond Green in 2007 during his freshman basketball season, starting their relationship.
Both graduated in 2012 — Hardy with her English degree and Green with a Communications degree. She juggled coursework while raising her young daughter Kyla. Hardy told friends she could “sit and talk about news, sports, and entertainment all day any day, with anyone,” showing her interest in broadcasting careers.
Her academic focus on English reflected plans for media work combining news, sports, and entertainment topics. The degree path aligned with her stated career goals. Green’s rising basketball profile during these years paralleled Hardy’s academic completion.
Jelissa Hardy Modeling Career and Professional Goals
According to heavy, Jelissa Hardy joined Model Mayhem in 2009 to build her portfolio and connect with photographers. She wrote that she wanted “a classy Victoria’s Secret style lingerie shot, a solid ‘commercial’ image, and a great ACTING head-shot.” Her profile emphasized expanding her career through diverse photography work.
Her modeling bio stated: “She was blessed with a beautiful little girl while attending college and decided to put her dream career on hold to focus on school and her daughter.” Hardy’s last Model Mayhem update appeared in 2010. Her modeling Facebook page remained active until September 2013 before she stopped posting.
She described her work ethic as “easy going person, but also extremely reliable” on professional profiles. Her page included the personal motto: “Live each day as if it were your last.” The broadcasting and modeling careers she discussed never materialized into public work after graduation.
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Jelissa Hardy Ten-Year Relationship with Draymond Green
Hardy and Green dated from 2007 through October 2017, spanning ten years and nine months total. The relationship lasted through Green’s college basketball career and his NBA draft into professional success. They attended major career milestones together during his Warriors years.
The Associated Press reported on Green’s 2015 contract signing after the NBA Finals, noting “his mother wiped away tears while sitting in the front row with Green’s girlfriend, best friend and agent.” Hardy appeared at the $82 million contract signing alongside Green’s mother Mary Babers Green. She also attended an NBA D-League game in 2015 with Green, Steph Curry, and Ayesha Curry.
NewsBreak told Jocks and Stiletto Jill that “they grew apart as Draymond’s fame exploded” when explaining the October 2017 breakup. Hardy lived in Woodbridge, Virginia and Oakland, California during different phases of the relationship. The separation came as Green’s public profile and professional demands increased.
Jelissa Hardy Children and Family Life
Hardy’s daughter Kyla was eight years old when her son with Green arrived. Draymond Jamal “D.J.” Green Jr. was born on December 22, 2016, at 3:55 AM PST. Green was on a commercial flight from New York to San Francisco when Hardy went into labor.
Green watched his son’s birth via FaceTime from his first-class airplane seat. Green posted on Instagram: “I’ve never experienced such a feeling like I did when I watched his entry. Family is such an important part of my life and to welcome a kid into this world is a dream come true.” Green missed the Warriors’ 117-101 victory against the Brooklyn Nets to return to the Bay Area.
Green wrote about Kyla’s presence during the birth: “My baby girl Kyla was there and slept through the entire thing but she was also a soldier through the whole process and will be a great big sister!” Hardy balanced raising two children from different relationships. The birth marked a turning point in Green’s understanding of fatherhood before the couple’s eventual separation.
Co-Parenting After October 2017 Split
Hardy maintains complete privacy since the relationship ended in October 2017. She has given no interviews or public statements about her life in the past eight years. D.J. regularly attends Golden State Warriors games, showing both parents prioritize their son’s access to his father.
Gossip On This reported that Green and Hardy have “a great and healthy relationship as co-parents since the duo vowed to put their child first despite their breakup.” This structure keeps D.J. connected to both parents without public conflict. Hardy resides in California to support the co-parenting arrangement.
She chose not to pursue visible career work or social media presence after the split. The approach protects both her children from media attention. Hardy’s focus centers on parenting rather than any connection to Green’s continued NBA career and public life.
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Private Life Since 2017
Hardy joined Jamz Trainings for “full body boot camp style workouts” after her relationship ended. She shifted toward personal wellness away from modeling or broadcasting. Her sister Nicquel Terry continues journalism work while Hardy avoids all media attention.
She maintains no verified public social media accounts as of 2025. Hardy has not returned to modeling, broadcasting, or any other public-facing work. Her English degree from Michigan State has not led to any visible professional career.
The choice reflects her preference for keeping family matters separate from Green’s fame. Hardy represents individuals who step back from spotlight despite long relationships with public figures. Her life centers on her two children rather than building any personal brand or public presence.
Choosing Privacy Over Public Attention
Hardy attended Green’s major career moments during their decade together but never sought individual media coverage. She stopped updating modeling pages in 2013, four years before their relationship ended. The pattern shows comfort with stepping away from public work.
Her limited public profile serves her clear preference for family privacy. D.J. enjoys his father’s basketball career while Hardy remains unreported in media. This approach differs from partners who build brands around relationships with athletes.
The public knows Hardy primarily through her connection to Green rather than independent work. She has protected her children from excessive attention while allowing D.J. access to Warriors games. Her eight years of silence since the breakup demonstrates commitment to this privacy choice.
Jelissa Hardy Current Life and Outlook
Hardy continues her private life focused on raising Kyla and D.J. as of late 2025. D.J. maintains connection to his father’s basketball career through regular game attendance. Hardy’s day-to-day activities and any private employment remain unreported.
She has not returned to broadcasting or modeling despite early career interest in both fields. Her location in California supports the co-parenting structure. The decade with Green remains the most documented period of her adult life.
Hardy’s story illustrates one path for former partners of famous athletes who prioritize family over fame. She maintains boundaries that keep personal life separate from Green’s public career. The approach has successfully kept her out of tabloid coverage for eight years.
Conclusion
Jelissa Hardy’s ten-year relationship with Draymond Green ended in 2017 as his NBA career reached new heights. She graduated from Michigan State with an English degree, explored modeling briefly, and became mother to two children. Her choice to maintain complete privacy since the breakup sets her apart from partners who leverage athlete relationships for attention.
The co-parenting arrangement with Green keeps D.J. connected to both parents without public drama or media coverage. Hardy has avoided interviews, social media, and any return to her early career interests. Her life centers on her children away from the spotlight surrounding Green’s basketball success.
The limited public information about Hardy reflects eight years of successful privacy maintenance. She represents people who choose family focus over fame despite connections to public figures. Her approach protects her children while allowing her son access to his father’s career.
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FAQ’s About Jelissa Hardy
How long did Jelissa Hardy and Draymond Green date?
They dated from 2007 to October 2017, totaling ten years and nine months.
How many children does Jelissa Hardy have?
She has two children: daughter Kyla Dior from a previous relationship and son Draymond Jamal Green Jr. born December 22, 2016.
What degree did Jelissa Hardy earn?
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State University’s College of Arts and Letters in 2012.
Where did Jelissa Hardy grow up?
She grew up in Saginaw, Michigan and attended Heritage High School with Draymond Green.
Does Jelissa Hardy use social media?
She maintains no verified public social media accounts as of 2025.
What happened to her modeling career?
She paused modeling to focus on college and motherhood, with her last public modeling page update in September 2013.
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