Former basketball prospect turned rapper cites low G League wage and music business success as causes for leaving sports activities behind completely
The center brother in one among 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, just lately defined that monetary realities made leaving the game a simple alternative.
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 per thirty days as a grown man merely wasn’t sustainable for his way of life and future targets.
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 unimaginable to construct the sort of life he needed 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 complete video games. His taking pictures efficiency declined in his ultimate season, connecting on solely 36.6 % of his area objective 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 fully. He admitted that he wasn’t conflicted in regards to the resolution as soon as music started producing severe revenue 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 track’s reputation led to important alternatives within the music business.
File deal modifications every part for LiAngelo
The success of “Tweaker” caught the eye of main music business gamers, resulting in a life-changing contract alternative. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Ball signed a report cope with Def Jam Recordings price as much as $13 million, with $8 million assured.
This contract represented more cash than Ball may have realistically earned throughout a complete basketball profession, particularly given his struggles to determine 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 business veterans have been taking his creative efforts significantly.
Constructing a sustainable leisure profession
Since signing his report deal, Ball has continued creating his musical catalog and public presence. He has previewed further tracks together with “Legislation & Order” and “Can You Please” throughout numerous livestream appearances, sustaining fan engagement whereas constructing anticipation for future releases.
The unique “Tweaker” achieved important business success, debuting at quantity 29 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart. This mainstream recognition validated Ball’s resolution to focus fully on music moderately than persevering with to pursue more and more unlikely basketball alternatives.
Ball’s story displays broader modifications in how younger athletes strategy profession planning and monetary safety. Reasonably than clinging to diminishing basketball prospects, he acknowledged another path that provided each artistic achievement and substantial monetary rewards.
The success additionally highlights how social media and streaming platforms can quickly remodel somebody’s profession prospects. Ball’s means to generate viral content material and join straight with audiences by 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 reaching success and monetary stability past their authentic sports activities goals.
LiAngelo Ball speaks on why he selected to give up pursuing the NBA to start out rapping. 👀 pic.twitter.com/khdt2N3aZb
— No Jumper (@nojumper) August 6, 2025
