Joel Embiid’s girlfriend, Anne de Paula, frequently shows love for the injured 76er on Instagram. De Paula, who is a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, has been dating Embiid for several months now, and the two have gone increasingly public with their relationship as time has gone on.
In February, de Paula posted a photo of the two of them to Instagram for Valentine’s Day. The model wrote, “I wish I could explain your eyes, and how the sound of your voice gives me butterflies. How your smile makes my heart skip a beat and how every time I’m with you, I feel so complete. ❤️ #happyvalentinesday”
Here’s what you need to know:
LOOK: De Paula & Embiid Sing Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’ Together
In the video above, which was posted by de Paula in honor of Embiid’s birthday, you can watch the happy couple singing the Ed Sheeran song, Perfect.
De Paula wrote alongside the video, “We are still kids, but we’re so in love, fighting against all odds”… ❤️❤️ HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my lover and best friend @joelembiid. You’re PERFECT! I love you!”
As for Embiid, his Instagram feed seems to be primarily focused on his professional career. However, he did post an Instagram dedicated to de Paula on Valentine’s Day, writing, “Happy Valentine’s Day babe!!!? Thank you for dealing with my African crazy ass and allowing me to be ME. I’ve trusted your process, you’ve trusted mine and it brought us to where we are. #Lovers ❤️❤️❤️❤️”
@JoelEmbiid & @BenSimmons25 arrive for @sixers ahead of #NBAChinaGames!
De Paula and Embiid were first seen together in China in October, when the Sixers participated in the NBC China Games. She can be seen in the video above at the very beginning, right before the camera pans away to focus on Embiid.
Three weeks after that, Sixers co-owner Michael Rubin posted a not-so-subtle Instagram of Embiid kissing de Paula at a game. Rubin added a tongue-in-cheek caption, writing, “What a lovely couple!!!!! Congrats on your engagement!!!!! @joelembiid @annedepaula_ THIS IS WHAT WINNING ON EVERY LEVEL LOOKS LIKE!!!??”
Though they don’t tend to post photos of one another, a CBS local affiliate in Philadelphia reported that de Paula posted an Instagram Story of her courtside seats at a Sixers game, adding the heart eyes emoji to her post.
In December, Embiid credited his relationship as the main reason why he’s no longer as active on social media, telling ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon, “I don’t even remember the last time I really posted anything on social media. I’ve been really busy with my girlfriend, just hanging out with her.”