LeBron James gets engaged on New Year's Eve to Savannah Brinson at Shelborne Hotel on Miami Beach

Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Chris Bosh, Adrienne Williams-Bosh, LeBron James and Savannah Brinson. Photo: Seth Browarnik

 

By Fred Gonzalez | fgonzalez@miamiherald.com1/1/2012

It seems that Miami Heat superstar LeBron James is getting a head start on his first ring.

James got engaged last night to longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson at a private dinner at Vesper American Brasserie at the newly renovated Shelborne Hotel on Miami Beach. The couple have been dating since high school and have two boys together - LeBron Jr. (7 years old) and Bryce (4).

James proposed a day after celebrating his 27th birthday with a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and helping the Heat to a 4-0 start to the NBA season. The Heat go for their fifth straight win to open the season Sunday, Jan. 1 at AmericanAirlines Arena against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Plenty of congratulations came from friends via Twitter all night long.

“Happy for my brother @KingJames and sis @SavannahRB on their engagement!!! Extremely happy for them and the good times to come,” wrote Clippers point guard Chris Paul.

Heat team owner Micky Arison: “Congrats to Lebron. @KingJames and Savannah so happy 4 u guys.”

LaLa Vasquez, wife of NBA star Carmelo Anthony: “CONGRATS are in order!! 2012 has already come in w/a BANG!! Congrats to @KingJames and @SavannahRB on their engagement!! We love u guys!!”

The private dinner didn't get underway until after 11 p.m. and was hosted by Remy Martin V. There were 50 friends in attendance who watched James get down on one knee and propose toward the end of dinner. Enjoying the spirit of choice that night were model Jessica White, rapper Nas, Queen Latifah, actress Gabrielle Union, Gloria James (LeBron's mom), Heat teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and Bosh's wife, Adrienne Williams-Bosh.

James' boys enjoyed French fries (which were not on the menu), and James kept stepping away from the table to spend one-on-one time with his kids, and immediately picked up his kids and swung them around following the proposal.

James also had his birthday cake present. Devine Delicacies, who made the cake in half a day, describes the cake as “fit for a King [with] vanilla rum, edible 18k lion, and Swarovski Crystals.”

Following dinner, James, Wade and Bosh headed poolside to the Shelborne's SL Nightclub to lead the countdown to 2012 with featured singer Lauryn Hill. Hill then sang several of her hits before a surprise performance with rapper Nas. In attendance at the party were actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, rapper Fat Joe, and actress Sanaa Lathan.