Former basketball prospect turned rapper cites low G League wage and music trade success as causes for leaving sports activities behind completely
The center brother in certainly one of basketball’s most well-known households has opened up about his resolution to desert skilled basketball for a profitable music profession. LiAngelo Ball, whose youthful brothers LaMelo and Lonzo have achieved NBA stardom, not too long ago defined that monetary realities made leaving the game a straightforward selection.
Talking on the BagFuel podcast, Ball described how his expertise within the NBA G League satisfied him that pursuing basketball was not viable. He emphasised that incomes $3,000 monthly as a grown man merely wasn’t sustainable for his way of life and future objectives.
The 26-year-old defined that watching his brothers safe main skilled contracts whereas he struggled in basketball’s minor leagues highlighted the stark distinction of their profession trajectories. Ball famous that the low G League wage made it not possible to construct the type of life he wished for himself.
From courtroom struggles to music hundreds of thousands
Ball’s basketball journey by no means reached the heights many anticipated when he was youthful. Throughout his two seasons with the Greensboro Swarm from 2021 to 2023, he averaged simply 5.3 factors throughout 50 whole video games. His taking pictures efficiency declined in his last season, connecting on solely 36.6 p.c of his area purpose makes an attempt.
After his G League stint, Ball briefly performed for Astros de Jalisco in Mexico earlier than finally strolling away from skilled basketball solely. He admitted that he wasn’t conflicted concerning the resolution as soon as music started producing critical earnings for him.
The transition from sports activities to leisure proved remarkably profitable for Ball. His debut single “Tweaker” turned a viral sensation in January 2025 after being previewed throughout a livestream with content material creator N3On. The tune’s reputation led to vital alternatives within the music trade.
File deal adjustments the whole lot for LiAngelo
The success of “Tweaker” caught the eye of main music trade gamers, resulting in a life-changing contract alternative. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Ball signed a file cope with Def Jam Recordings value as much as $13 million, with $8 million assured.
This contract represented more cash than Ball might have realistically earned throughout a whole basketball profession, particularly given his struggles to ascertain himself as a constant skilled participant. The assured portion alone exceeded what most G League gamers earn over a number of seasons.
Ball’s musical momentum continued with a remix of “Tweaker” that includes established rapper Lil Wayne, which additional boosted his profile within the hip-hop group. The collaboration demonstrated that trade veterans had been taking his inventive efforts significantly.
Constructing a sustainable leisure profession
Since signing his file deal, Ball has continued creating his musical catalog and public presence. He has previewed extra tracks together with “Regulation & Order” and “Can You Please” throughout numerous livestream appearances, sustaining fan engagement whereas constructing anticipation for future releases.
The unique “Tweaker” achieved vital industrial success, debuting at quantity 29 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart. This mainstream recognition validated Ball’s resolution to focus solely on music quite than persevering with to pursue more and more unlikely basketball alternatives.
Ball’s story displays broader adjustments in how younger athletes strategy profession planning and monetary safety. Fairly than clinging to diminishing basketball prospects, he acknowledged an alternate path that supplied each artistic success and substantial monetary rewards.
The success additionally highlights how social media and streaming platforms can quickly rework somebody’s profession prospects. Ball’s capability to generate viral content material and join immediately with audiences by way of livestreams created alternatives that conventional basketball pathways couldn’t present.
As LiAngelo Ball continues constructing his music profession, his expertise serves as a reminder that skilled athletes and former prospects have a number of choices for attaining success and monetary stability past their unique sports activities desires.
LiAngelo Ball speaks on why he selected to stop pursuing the NBA to begin rapping. 👀 pic.twitter.com/khdt2N3aZb
— No Jumper (@nojumper) August 6, 2025
