In a stunning and unexpected development, former NBA player-turned-rapper LiAngelo Ball has filed for divorce from his wife, Rashida Nicole, just one week after she publicly announced she was pregnant with their first child together.
The news broke on July 10, with court documents obtained by TMZ revealing that Ball filed for divorce on July 3, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The couple, who had only recently tied the knot on March 24, reportedly separated on June 15.
What makes the timing so jarring is that Nicole’s pregnancy announcement, shared on Instagram on June 26, gave the impression that the couple was entering a joyful new chapter together.
She also thanked her daughter from a previous relationship for offering comfort during the emotional early stages of the pregnancy.
LiAngelo even appeared to support the announcement, liking the post and commenting with a heart emoji and a lock-and-key symbol, making the public believe the couple was in a stable place.
But behind the scenes, things had already unraveled. According to the documents, the couple had been separated for nearly two weeks before Nicole’s announcement went live.
Ball, who now performs as rapper “Gelo,” has requested joint legal and physical custody of their unborn child and asked that the court deny spousal support to both parties. Neither he nor Nicole has released an official statement addressing the divorce.
This isn’t the first time LiAngelo Ball has found himself at the center of personal turmoil. Earlier this year, his former partner, Nikki Mudarris, mother of his two other children, publicly accused him of walking out on their family.
In a since-deleted Instagram post, Mudarris claimed Ball ended their 3.5-year relationship after revealing he was expecting a child with someone else, presumably Nicole.
Adding to the confusion, just weeks before the divorce filing, Ball and Nicole attended the 2025 BET Awards together in Los Angeles, walking the red carpet arm-in-arm alongside his brother Lonzo Ball. Everything appeared normal, if not celebratory. Now, fans are left reeling from the abrupt and public unraveling of yet another Ball family relationship.
LiAngelo Ball filed for divorce from his wife, Rashida Nicole, one week after she announced her pregnancy with him, just three months after their marriage
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— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) July 9, 2025
Despite the chaos in his personal life, Ball has continued building momentum as a music artist. His single “Tweaker” became a breakout hit, landing him a multi-million dollar record deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group earlier this year.
That deal reportedly includes ownership of his Born2Ball Music Group label and could rise to $13 million based on performance.
This marks the second high-profile NBA-related divorce in just a matter of days. Dwight Howard’s wife recently filed for divorce as well, ending their marriage just six months after tying the knot.
Both stories have fueled a whirlwind of commentary surrounding NBA stars, their personal relationships, and the drama that seems to follow them long after they leave the court.
