Iman ShumpertAnd Teyana Taylor weren’t looking for each other, but, serendipitously, they’re both hard to miss.

It was 2011 when the recently drafted NBA rookie and the dancer/model/singer/style muse first crossed paths at a New York party. Taylor had previously been celebrated on several occasions. My Sweet Sixteen, was perched on a railing, needing a respite from her 7-inch Versace heels, when the 6-foot-5 Shumpert strolled over to say hello.

“He came up to me and tried to talk to me, but I was in a relationship, so I kinda like…” Taylor recalled on Vlad TV in 2014, miming not being super-responsive to her future husband’s charms. Although she didn’t offer her cold shoulder, Taylor clarified that “he was turned on, everyone was turned up and I was just like”. [shrug]Thank you.

After that, the Harlem-born artist would see the New York Knicks guard around and “this dude’s always so turned up, so outspoken, full of personality,” she said fondly. He was cool, but I was there.