LiAngelo Ball is back on the map not from his basketball career but for an entirely different reason: his meteoric rise in the music industry. LiAngelo Ball, a former basketball player whose attempts to have a permanent place in the NBA were unsuccessful, has found his new calling as a rapper, going by the stage name G3 GELO.
LiAngelo Ball was one of the most talked-about prospects during his time at Chino Hills High School, where he played alongside his brothers Lonzo and LaMelo. Dean Goodwin ’27 said it best, “LaVar went 3/3.” The siblings led their team on an unforgettable run to a state championship, displaying a high-intensity, run-and-gun style that brought in scouts and fans from around the country.
Ball committed to attend UCLA after high school, but sadly his college career was cut short due to a shoplifting incident in China. His blind judgment led to him being caught stealing sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store, and this incident got him suspended and subsequently cut from the team. Afterward, he had overseas stints with Lithuanian club BC Prienai and later joined the Junior Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Ballers, founded by his father, LaVar Ball. Despite his efforts to come back, LiAngelo went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Over the years, Ball has tried breaking into the NBA, signing short-term deals with the Detroit Pistons and later the Charlotte Hornets. Christian Rice ’27 is a huge fan of LiAngelo’s basketball talent, stating, “The Hornets need to trade for Lonzo and pick up Gelo to reunite the Ball Brothers.” He has also played for the Greensboro Swarm, the G-League affiliate for the Hornets, but struggled to nail a consistent spot on an NBA roster, unlike his brothers.
Out of basketball options, Ball took the most unlikely turn: he started making music. In January of 2025, Ball released a single titled “Tweaker” under the stage name G3 GELO. It wasn’t long until the single took off; the catchy beat combined with Ball’s signature delivery launched the single into millions of streams online. He received praise from many popular artists like Meek Mill, Lil Yachty, and T-Pain. The overwhelming reception to “Tweaker” soon brought major labels knocking at his door, and Ball ultimately inked a lucrative deal with Def Jam Recordings and Universal Music Group. The deal is reported to be worth up to $13 million, with $8 million guaranteed. The deal also includes full ownership of his music.
The Ball’s transition from athlete to musician has been both surprising and an object of admiration. Though some treated his entry into the music industry with speculation, his rapid rise has proved otherwise. His unique sound, influenced by early 2000s Louisiana hip-hop, has resonated with a wide audience, and his debut performance at Rolling Loud California in March is already generating buzz.
Whereas LiAngelo Ball’s hoops career never mirrored his brothers, LaMelo and Lonzo, he paved another lane for himself toward fame. On and off the court, through the mic, all eyes will always be upon the fact that, within the circle of entertainment, any comeback can happen.
