What a few months it’s been for LaMelo Ball.
The longtime Hornets guard was traded to the Timberwolves on Thursday morning in hopes of bringing the Wolves their first title, but he previously experienced a life-changing moment with his model girlfriend.
Ball and his partner Ana Montana announced in May they had their first kid, LaOne, in January.
In addition to having their first kid together, Ball and Montana also launched “I Am Fertility”, a platform and nonprofit devoted to supporting women navigating fertility and IVF journeys.
“Welcoming LaOne into the world has changed our hearts in the best way,” the couple told PEOPLE. “Family has always meant everything to us, but becoming parents has given us an entirely new perspective on love, purpose, legacy and what truly matters most.”
“He (LaOne) has brought so much happiness and meaning into our lives, and we’re incredibly grateful to God for trusting us with such a special blessing,” the couple added. “We’re embracing this new chapter with so much love and excitement as we raise and guide our son together.”
The nonprofit’s goal is to support women through education, emotional support, trusted resources and reproductive health awareness.
“At one point during my IVF journey, I felt overwhelmed, emotional, isolated and unsure where to turn,” Montana said. “That experience inspired me to create I Am Fertility as a safe space where women don’t have to face this journey alone.”
The new Timberwolves star and Montana have been together since 2021 and hard-launched their relationship through Instagram in 2023.
Montana is 12 years older than Ball.
She celebrated Ball’s Play-In Tournament win over the Heat in April by posting a video of the guard doing his postgame press conference with “Victory Lap” by Nipsey Hussle as the audio.
Now, Montana will have the chance to support Ball as he transitions to the Timberwolves next season.
Ball and teammate Josh Green were traded to Minnesota for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029 and 2030) and three second-round picks.
The Timberwolves are coming off a second-round playoff exit to the Spurs.
