Welch, the mother of his three children, said yes. (Amar’e Stoudemire)
Stoudemire opted to propose in Paris. (Amar’e Stoudemire)
The ring could be seen from a distance. (Amar’e Stoudemire)
Knick captain Amar’e Stoudemire is engaged to be married after proposing to the mother of his three kids, Alexis Welch, in Paris.
“I am so honored to be marrying by best friend,’’ the basketball star told Page Six.
Stoudemire asked Welch for her hand in marriage with a romantic moonlit proposal Saturday while overlooking the city and the lights of the Eiffel Tower from the private terrace of their penthouse, the Belle Etoile Royal Suite, at the luxury Le Meurice Hotel.
He surprised her after they spent the day taking a private historical tour of Paris that included stops at the Louvre and other landmarks.
“I have been planning my proposal for a while, and [Paris] … seemed like a perfect place,’’ Stoudemire said from Paris. “ I am so happy she said yes, and now we can continue to build our life together as husband and wife.”
Welch’s giant diamond ring was designed with Los Angeles-based celebrity jeweler Shayan Afshar.
“Having Amar’e ask me to marry him while overlooking the Paris skyline seemed like some sort of romantic fantasy,’’ Welch told Page Six. “Amar’e put so much care and thought into every detail to make it special for us. We are truly blessed!”
The couple met in 2002, after Stoudemire was drafted by the Phoenix Suns, and have three children — Amar’e Jr., 5, Ar’e, 6 ( almost 7) and Assata, 4. According to his reps, they plan to wed in 2013.
Stoudemire wrote on Twitter last night: “When she said yes, it was surreal. I’m still floating. #engaged.”
He also posted pictures of him, Welch and their kids in France, writing, “Finally made it. Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful.”
The happy couple’s five-star suite included a private elevator and views of Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur.
Last night, the couple landed back in Miami.