LiAngelo Ball once again appears interested in playing professional basketball. The brother of LaMelo Ball and Lonzo Ball had previously announced that he was retiring from basketball to focus on his rap career after his song “Tweaker” took off as a hit.
However, Ball is now flirting with the possibility of a pro-basketball comeback, and the NBA world had a field day with this news.
NBA World Reacts As LiAngelo Ball Floats Potential Comeback
“I feel like I’m in the position to play in the NBA,” LiAngelo told Heavy Sports. “If they ever did ask, I could go tomorrow and start playing and working out and stuff.”
While he stated that “music’s my main career choice,” he did say that he still plays basketball with his brothers and NBA friends to “keep my game always touched up.”
When asked how he’d pitch himself to an NBA general manager, LiAngelo stated: “I would like them to know that I’m a winner first. So like when I come on to a team, it’s like I try to see, I try to do what the team needs to win. If they need an impact score, I feel like I could produce scoring, defense and winning. Like I just got a winning vibe for real. I’ma do whatever play it takes.”
Ball has never appeared in an NBA game, but he did play with the Charlotte Hornets’ Summer League team and had a brief Exhibit-10 stint with the Detroit Pistons, but he was ultimately waived. He did appear in 50 games with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League, averaging 5.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and .5 steals while shooting 43% from the field and 37.9% from 3-point range.
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After signing in Mexico in Feb. 2024, Ball suffered an ankle injury and returned to the United States. In Aug. 2025, he announced he was retiring from basketball to focus on his rap career. But after his recent comments went viral, many in the NBA world cracked jokes about LiAngelo’s NBA aspirations.
One influencer posted on X, “if he gets a contract , i better get one too” with a crying emoji.
if he gets a contract , i better get one too 😭 https://t.co/WYEgvFGR4E
— Quis (@quiscapalot) April 13, 2026
Another influencer responded on X by wondering if Ball truly believed he could make it to the league after not training for so long.
“I hope he doesn’t mean ‘start’ workout out literally. You need to already be working out if that’s the goal lol,” he wrote.
I hope he doesn’t mean “start” workout out literally. You need to already be working out if that’s the goal lol https://t.co/Hoz9WX7izN
— MusChampion (@Less_HumbleTeej) April 13, 2026
Another pointed out that Ball didn’t even see a lot of time on the court in his college basketball days, so the NBA feels like a pipe dream. (His lack of production in the G League is also a red flag).
“LiAngelo Ball wasn’t even getting real playing time at ucla,” they wrote. “The stealing in china incident gave him a reason to say ‘if not for that happening I’d be in the nba'”
lianGelo ball wasn’t even getting real playing time at ucla . The stealing in china incident gave him a reason to say “ if not for that happening I’d be in the nba “ https://t.co/1xFAN0ixr0
— John (@iam_johnw) April 13, 2026
Sean Barnard, who handles content for DraftKings Network, isn’t too impressed with what Ball is saying in regards to his desire to play in the NBA. Barnard posted on X, “Not the most convincing sell won’t lie.”
SleeperHawks posted on X about Ball’s previous retirement announcement.
“Didn’t he say he was done after Tweaker took off,” they asked.
Didn’t he say he was done after Tweaker took off
— SleeperHawks (@SleeperHawks) April 13, 2026
“Tweaker” became a viral sensation for Ball after he shared a snippet of the track on a stream with N3on. After an extremely positive response from fans, he released the full song, and it took off online. He even performed prior to the Detroit Lions’ playoff game against the Washington Commanders in Jan. 2025.
While it appears that Ball might want to play professional basketball again, it seems unlikely that he’ll generate interest from NBA teams.
