Athlete LiAngelo Ball and former Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood star Nikki Mudarris are going to become parents! The couple revealed their little one is expected to arrive this summer. “We’re both so excited about becoming parents.”

LiAngelo, 24, and Nikki, 32, announced their news exclusively with PEOPLE and shared, “We can’t wait to meet our baby and begin this new chapter together. It’s super exciting for us both being first-time parents and getting to experience everything together.”

liangelo ball nikki mudarris
Photo by SEANCOLEMAN713 on IG via PEOPLE

The couple, who confirmed their relationship in 2022, had discussed having children before becoming pregnant. “We spoke about having a life and kids when we first met, our goals, dreams, life we wanted and then it really happened.” When sharing the news with her family, Nikki recalled, “The news was super exciting for everyone in my family, however, everyone was super shocked and I think they’re still shocked even though my belly is huge! Overall, everyone cannot wait for the baby to come. They’re super happy for me, I found love with an amazing man and God blessed me with my baby, everything I really wanted is truly happening.”

As for the basketball star, who plays for the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League, he learned of Nikki’s pregnancy while he was in Charlotte, NC. He waited to tell his family until he was home in California. “When I told my mom and pops they were shocked a little bit but I think more so excited than anything. My mom was yelling and cheering in excitement. When I told my brothers they were happy for me and also excited to become new uncles to my seed.” LiAngelo’s brothers are fellow basketball stars. LaMelo Ball plays for the Charlotte Hornets while Lonzo Ball plays for the Chicago Bulls.

The couple knows the sex of their baby but is choosing to keep that news private for now. However, they have given a little insight into their child’s name. “Ironically we picked our kid(s) names three months before I got pregnant so when we found out it was pretty easy what we were gonna name the baby.”

Congratulations to LiAngelo and Nikk on the news of their first child! We wish them all the best as they prepare to become parents.

.

Headshot of Kate Fann smiling

Kate Fann (she/her) is the BabyNames.com celebrity blogger, as well as an established content writer, aspiring author, and social media expert. She has been featured in online publications such as Bolde, ManoByte, Medium, The Social Observer, and more. Kate has ghostwritten numerous romance novels and is currently working on publishing her own works in the Young Adult genre.

Kate lives in East Tennessee with her husband Casey and her two sons, Quinn and Noah. When she's not writing or scrolling Instagram, Kate can be found tasting delicious wines, playing with make-up, baking yummy treats, or hiking the beautiful Smoky Mountains.