Houston Rockets star Tari Eason filed for an order of protection against his girlfriend following an argument that turned physical.
The 6-ft-8, 215 pound power forward claims he is in fear of Marilyn Melo Rodriguez, 32, after she punched him and poured liquid bleach on $92,000 worth of his designer clothes.
In court documents, obtained by TMZ, Tari, 25, described the physical abuse he endured. He said Marilyn punched him in the face with a closed fist when he gave her a ride home. He said she then returned to his rental home to pour bleach on his clothes.
Tari also said one of Marilyn’s friends called him to “tell me that she would break both of my legs and kill me.”
Tari said he fears for his life and he asked a judge to order Marilyn to stay away from him, his home, his work, his car, and any arena in California where the Rockets play.
Tari told the court that Marilyn’s threats and abuse caused him to live in fear of his life and affected his game.
Rumors claim Tari mocked Marilyn after she suffered a miscarriage last month.
But Tari’s mother, Teroya Eason, denied the rumors in a furious post on X.com.
“You guys have to be so much smarter than this. I was hoping that this BULLS**T never made it over to Twitter even after today she decided to post a bunch of their text messages,” Teroya Eason wrote.
“You know the cool part about me. I’m not stressing. That’s the thing about knowing the truth. @wagsunfilter3d got my message at 9 PM and turned the whole page private afterwards y’all wanna hear it here go. Go tag Marilyn. I don’t have to. I’ll see her in court.”
You guys have to be so much smarter than this. I was hoping that this BULLSHIT never made it over to Twitter even after today she decided to post a bunch of their text messages. You know the cool part about me. I’m not stressing. That’s the thing about knowing the truth.… pic.twitter.com/9RpM9HjoYH
— MOMSTER “Tea?” (@teroyaeason) July 29, 2026
Marilyn is a former Instagram model and fashion influencer with 715,000 followers on her official Instagram account. She signed to Wilhelmina Modeling Agency – making her one of the rare Instagram models who go on to have a successful career in modeling.
The Rockets chose Tari No. 17 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. He signed a 5-year, $81.45 million contract extension on July 9 that includes a player option for the 2030-21 season worth $18.55 million.
Domestic abuse experts praise men like Tari for seeking protection from an abusive partner. They say most men don’t press charges or file for protection against women because of peer pressure and ridicule from their male friends.