Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball play in the NBA and have had varying levels of success. They have another brother LiAngelo Ball, who was on the path to join them in the league. But one unfortunate incident burned those chances.
LiAngelo Ball committed to the UCLA Bruins, the same college his older brother was a part of. The idea was to showcase his talents at the college level and then make the jump to the NBA. He started training camp and was part of the roster that travelled to China to play Georgia Tech as part of the NCAA opening games.
But a few days prior to the game, he and two other teammates visited a high-end shopping center in Hangzhou near their hotel. After visiting and exiting a Louis Vuitton store, the trio were arrested by police. They potentially faced years behind bars for shoplifting sunglasses. But they were released soon after the US embassy intervened.
UCLA suspended the middle Ball brother indefinitely. A couple of weeks later, he withdrew from the program after he and his father realized the suspension was until the end of the season. Instead, the then-18-year-old decided to try his chances abroad before trying his luck in the 2018 NBA Draft. But no team took a chance on him.
He went on to play in his father’s now defunct Junior Basketball League before trying his hand in the G-League. But so far, he has been unable to hold down a roster spot. Now, he is still trying to fight for a G-League contract. It is the only way he can try his luck at entering the NBA. In hindsight, that withdrawal from UCLA meant LiAngelo Ball burnt any chances of him taking the correct path to the NBA.
LiAngelo Ball credits his mother for helping him through those tough times
The middle Ball and his older brother Lonzo Ball were guests on Unapologetically Angel. The discussion around the sunglass arrest happened at various points throughout the show. But during the final segment when host and WNBA star Angel Reese asked if they wanted to give anyone their flowers, LiAngelo Ball chimed in.
My mom for sure. I give my flowers to my mom. She wanted to get mad at me for real. But she helped me for real. But she’ll be disappointed, but that helps.
LiAngelo Ball to his mother
LiAngelo Ball credited their parents for raising him and his brothers well. It was just that in the heat of the moment, he committed that crime. But during the darkest moment of his life, his mother was there to support him.
Even though she was disappointed, her support helped him through. Other than that one blemish, he has never been in trouble. That is due to the fact that his parents raised them well and he and the Chicago Bulls guard both showed their gratefulness.
