In a twist that’s left fans and critics speechless, Ayesha Howard, the mother of NBA star Anthony Edwards’ child, has publicly defended the Minnesota Timberwolves guard after a viral video criticized his parenting. The gesture comes despite the pair’s ongoing, bitter custody battle, adding layers of complexity to the drama.
The firestorm began when a mother filmed herself refusing to buy her son a pair of Anthony Edwards’ signature sneakers, citing the athlete’s personal life. The mother told the boy to “put them back because he don’t take care of his kids. Ja Morant takes care of his daughter. Kobe Bryant… he’s a great dad even in the afterlife,” she declared in the clip, which racked up millions of views.
The video sparked heated debates about whether athletes’ personal choices should impact their professional endorsements. But the story took a jaw-dropping turn when Howard, Anthony Edwards’ ex and mother of his child, intervened, not to pile on, but to defend him.
“I’m not sure if this child knows of Anthony’s personal issues, and if he doesn’t, I think it’s unfair to take away the part of Anthony that he does more, which is obviously his basketball talent,” Ayesha told The Shade Room. “Anthony is a great player, but the mother is in control of what she supports from a moral woman’s standpoint.”
Her comments stunned fans, given the pair’s legal feud.
The NBA star had previously asked her to terminate her pregnancy, but she chose to keep the child. This led to a heated legal battle, with Edwards reportedly filing legal documents last month to waive both visitation and custody rights.
In December 2024, paternity tests confirmed Edwards, 23, as the father of Howard’s child after she rejected his request to terminate the pregnancy. Court documents later revealed Edwards sought to avoid custody or visitation, opting instead to “focus on financial support.”
Ayesha Howard defends her decision to keep her child with Anthony Edwards:
— SAY CHEESE!
“Conceiving takes two, in that moment, both male and female have choices that determine the outcome of tomorrow. It's everyone's responsibility to make choices they can live with.” pic.twitter.com/zweGn2YX7V(@SaycheeseDGTL) February 13, 2025
His stance was further supported by leaked text messages from mid-February, where he allegedly reiterated his desire to avoid co-parenting responsibilities. Leaked texts in February 2025 showed Edwards writing, “I won’t be in a child life I don’t want,” he texted Ayesha Howard. He even went as far as to say, “You are sick.”
Will this controversy affect his brand and sneaker sales, or will fans separate the player from his personal choices? Only time will tell.
