Ayesha Howard, the former girlfriend of NBA standout Anthony Edwards, is pushing back hard. She recently denied claims that she’s trying to extort the basketball star. This dispute comes amidst a legal battle over child support for their daughter, Aubri Summers Howard, who was born in October 2024. Sources close to the situation confirm Howard’s stance, as reported by Us Weekly.
On August 7, Howard, who is 38 years old, submitted a statement to the Los Angeles Superior Court. This filing is part of her ongoing disagreement with Edwards, 24, about how much child support he should pay. She believes that delays caused by Edwards’ legal team have led to real and harmful effects on her life. Howard also scoffed at suggestions that Edwards was upset about his legal fees in the case. She pointed out that Edwards is a “multimillionaire.” Meanwhile, she describes herself as a “single mother” who faces Edwards’ “well-paid” legal team all alone.
Howard stated that Edwards’ attempt to paint her request for money as extortion is “totally sickening.” She emphasized that her plea for financial help wasn’t about forcing his hand. Instead, it was a direct reaction to the long-standing difficulties she has faced.
She added that it’s “offensive” for Edwards’ team to keep making such claims. This is especially true, she says, given her lack of employment, lost income, missed chances, and zero support for almost two years. This period started during her pregnancy and continued after giving birth. Howard alleges that Edwards abandoned her throughout her entire pregnancy, leaving her without any help to this day. She sees herself as a single mother raising a daughter without support. All the while, Edwards presents his temporary legal discomfort as a major unfairness, avoiding significant fatherly duties. Howard has requested that all the necessary paperwork be completed right away.
In a statement to Us Weekly, Howard shared her struggles. “For the past two years, I’ve faced a lot of damage to my reputation,” she said. “I also lost many opportunities and didn’t get any support. Trying to twist the truth only makes the harm from these ongoing false statements even worse.”
According to earlier reports from Us Weekly, Howard and Edwards have been discussing the official paperwork. This would grant Howard sole custody of their daughter. Edwards has made it clear in court that he isn’t interested in any visitation or custody rights.
A judge in Los Angeles gave Howard sole custody of Aubri. (It’s worth noting that Howard also has an older son with rapper Lil Baby.) However, the legal documents still haven’t been signed by both parties. Howard claims that Edwards’ team sent over custody papers that included a clause preventing her from speaking negatively about him. She stated she never agreed to this clause.
Howard told the court that she needs these papers signed before child support can be decided. She blames Edwards’ team for holding up the case.
However, Us Weekly previously reported Edwards’ side of the story. He claimed it was Howard who was causing the delays. He stated she demanded a one-time payment of $500,000. She also wanted a public apology if she were to agree to the non-disparagement clause.
In a letter Howard allegedly sent to Edwards’ legal team, she laid out her demands. She reportedly stated that Edwards “must issue a formal public apology.” This apology should be posted on all his official social media accounts. It should publicly retract “all false, defamatory, or misleading statements made about me during this litigation.” The apology should also confirm her “integrity and my role as the mother of our daughter.”
Howard previously clarified to Us Weekly, “I want to be clear that my request for compensation was never tied to accepting any custody order. I asked for compensation because of the big financial and reputational harm I’ve suffered during this long legal fight with Anthony Edwards.”
After Aubri was born, Howard filed a paternity suit in Los Angeles. Edwards, on the other hand, filed his own separate case in Georgia. The Los Angeles court decided that child support would not be set in California. Howard is currently trying to reverse that ruling. The LA judge gave Howard sole legal and physical custody. This happened after Edwards stated he wasn’t interested in either.