Rashida Nicole Denies Forcing LiAngelo Ball to Wed, Labels Him 'Deadbeat' Dad in Fiery Statement

LiAngelo Ball and Rashida Nicole’s divorce continues to play out publicly, with tensions escalating on Saturday. Nicole released a strongly worded statement online, calling Ball a “deadbeat” father and pushing back against his claims that she pressured him into marriage.

Sharing her statement on Instagram, Nicole blasted Ball for his remarks and lack of accountability.

"I hope y’all see how much of a clown 🤡 he really is now!" Nicole wrote. "None of it makes sense… He can never take accountability for nothing! No one forced a grown man to do anything! Just like I can’t force him to be a Dad!!! #deadbeat"

Rashida Nicole respond to LiAngelo ball online (Source: RashidaNicole/IG)

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Nicole shared the post in response to comments Ball made on an episode of the Ball in the Family podcast, where the former G League player claimed he was “forced” into marrying the influencer.

"She drove me, ni*ga. I’m out there about to cry in the whip,” Ball said. “I felt disconnected type sh*t. I’m telling her like, ‘I don’t want to get married, ni*ga. I don’t want to do none of this shit.’ But then I was like, ‘I’m doing it though, n***a.’ And I did not understand."

Ball and Nicole’s relationship unraveled almost as quickly as it began. The pair started dating shortly after Ball’s split from Nikki Mudarris in early 2025, married on March 24, and were separated by June 15 before Ball filed for divorce on July 3.

Although Ball reportedly sought joint custody of their unborn child in the divorce filing, Nicole has claimed he was absent throughout her pregnancy, with her recent “deadbeat” remarks reinforcing those allegations.

Rashida Nicole apologizes to LiAngelo Ball's ex following the birth of their child

Rashida Nicole gave birth to her daughter, Lilo Legacy Ball, on Dec. 2 amid her highly publicized fallout with LiAngelo Ball.

Shortly after the birth, she shared an Instagram post featuring her newborn, where she addressed her divorce from Ball and offered a public apology to his ex, Nikki Mudarris.

"Transparency Post: I didn't want to speak on this, but the questions and assumptions have become overwhelming. So here is my truth," Nicole wrote. "Yes, I'm going through a divorce. No, I won't share details while it's in litigation. And yes-1 chose for my child's father not to be at my delivery. That decision came after months of emotional pain, hurtful words, and complete absence during the most vulnerable season of my life." "This is not for sympathy or I told you so's. I have taken accountability privately, and I want to publicly apologize to @missNikkiibaby for the pain I caused."

Nicole and Ball’s divorce continues to play out in public, with both sides taking shots at each other online.

Edited by Arian Kashyap