Liv Walker didn’t exactly have the easiest run in the Love Island USA villa. Between the Rob drama and the constant recouplings, the Australian bombshell basically became the patron saint of "girls' girls" while leaving the island without a partner.
But things look a lot different now. If you’ve been keeping up with the post-villa chaos, you know the rumor mill has been spinning at Mach 10. Honestly, for a while there, she was being pretty coy about the whole thing. She’d drop a hint here, a TikTok there, but never a name.
That changed when the internet sleuths and eventually the paparazzi caught up. So, if you're asking about who is liv walker from love island dating, the answer involves a very tall, very athletic NBA player.
The Mystery Athlete Revealed: It’s Dalton Knecht
For months, Liv was doing the whole "I’m seeing someone, but it’s early days" routine. She mentioned on the spinoff Love Island: Beyond the Villa that she was seeing an athlete. Of course, her bestie Kaylor Martin couldn’t help but spill that he "has money" and that Liv definitely has a type.
It turns out that "type" is a 6'6" shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dalton Knecht is the man in question. He was the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft coming out of Tennessee. The two basically "hard launched" their relationship in September 2025 when Liv was spotted on the sidelines of a Tennessee Volunteers football game. She was wearing an all-white fit with knee-high cowboy boots—total WAG vibes, honestly.
Why They Kept It Low-Key for So Long
Liv has been pretty vocal about why she didn't just post a selfie with him the second they met. During an interview on SiriusXM’s Reality Checked, she told Dorinda Medley that she wanted to navigate the relationship privately first.
"I signed up for this life, but I never expect someone else to just put their whole life out there," she explained.
Basically, she wanted to make sure they were actually solid before the Love Island fandom descended on them. It’s a smart move. We’ve seen how fast these reality TV romances can implode when the public gets too involved too early.
The Timeline of Their Romance
- Early 2025: Liv mentions in interviews that she’s looking for a tall, funny American guy. She even name-dropped Dalton as a "crush" way back in March.
- July 2025: On Beyond the Villa, she confirms she’s seeing a "mystery athlete" but refuses to say who.
- Late Summer 2025: Fans start spotting them together in random places—like a Target run where he reportedly picked her up in the middle of the aisle.
- September 2025: The official debut at the Tennessee vs. Georgia game.
What’s the Vibe Between Them?
People who have seen them together say they’re actually super cute. Kendall Washington, another Love Island alum, met Dalton and gave him the seal of approval, calling him a "sweet, genuine dude."
It seems like a good match. Liv is known for being "non-serious" and bubbly, and Dalton seems to be handling the sudden crossover fame pretty well. While some Lakers fans were jokingly worried on Reddit that he’d lose his focus on the court, most people are just happy she finally found someone who isn't trying to gaslight her in a villa kitchen at 2:00 AM.
Is It Still Going Strong in 2026?
As of right now, all signs point to yes. They’ve both been living in Los Angeles—Liv moved there with Kaylor to pursue the influencer/modeling dream, and Dalton is obviously there for his season with the Lakers.
Living in the same city makes a huge difference. Most Love Island couples fail because they’re trying to do long-distance between different continents. By being in LA together, they’ve managed to integrate their lives.
What This Means for Liv's Career
Dating a pro athlete definitely changes the trajectory for a reality star. We’re seeing Liv transition from "Islander" to "WAG" (Wives and Girlfriends of athletes) status, which opens up a whole different world of brand deals and red carpets. She’s already been seen at more high-profile events and NBA games, naturally.
To stay updated on Liv and Dalton, you should:
- Follow Liv on TikTok: She still posts subtle "day in my life" videos where you can catch glimpses of Dalton’s height (or his car).
- Watch the Lakers sidelines: That’s where you’ll see the most candid shots of her lately.
- Keep an eye on Peacock: If there's another season of Beyond the Villa, their relationship will likely be a central plot point.
Liv seems to have finally found the "tall, athletic" guy she was manifesting. It’s a massive upgrade from the drama-filled couplings of Season 6, and honestly? We love that for her.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see the specific moment where their relationship was first hinted at, go back and watch Episode 1 of Love Island: Beyond the Villa on Peacock. You can also track Dalton's season stats to see if the "girlfriend effect" is actually helping his three-point percentage.