UCLA Basketball: LaVar Ball says LaMelo isn’t going to UCLA and that’s fine
LaVar Ball, the father of former UCLA basketball commit, LaMelo Ball, says his son will not consider the Bruins after high school, which is good news for UCLA.
It looks as if LaVar Ball can’t leave things in the past without making it look as if his shortcomings were the fault of others. Once again, the Ball Father made some inflammatory comments, this time in regards to his son LaMelo Ball possibly reconsidering the UCLA basketball team as a possible college destination.
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TMZ Sports had asked the father of current Los Angeles Lakers and former UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball about where his youngest son LaMelo Ball will play college ball. LaMelo had recently re-enrolled in high school after a not so successful stint playing professional basketball in Lithuania. Prior to that, he had been committed to play with UCLA.
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The youngest Ball landed at the Spire Institute in Ohio two weeks ago in hopes of reviving his basketball career. His intention is to go to an elite college after high school. UCLA was not one of the schools named.
“UCLA? Why? After what they did to my other son? Are you crazy?” LaVar told TMZ. LaVar is referring to his middle son LiAngelo Ball who was suspended after his arrest in China for shoplifting back in November of 2017. LaVar also forgets what UCLA did for his other son, Lonzo, as they gave him a platform which helped him to become the 2nd overall draft choice by the Lakers.
”No, [UCLA] ain’t behind [LiAngelo] like that. One mistake and now you put him to the side and act like he’s supposed to come the next year?” After the arrest of Ball and two other Bruins, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley, UCLA had suspended the trio for the season. The Ball Father was having none of it and pulled LiAngelo out of school with Lithuania being his next destination.
The funny thing about this is that Hill and Riley (and their families) did not have the same reaction. The pair stayed at UCLA, served their punishments and were able to rejoin the team after fulfilling requirements put on them by the team and university.
This season, Riley is averaging 8.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while Hill is putting up 4.5 points and 7.2 rebounds (second on the team). LiAngelo declared for the NBA Draft last summer but was not selected.
The remarks by LaVar Ball might actually be music to UCLA’s ears. With the father being a distraction everywhere he goes, the Bruins’ basketball program would do well without him on the sidelines once again. With this in mind, it will be interesting to see if another high profile college basketball team and coach will want to take a chance on LaMelo (and his boisterous father).
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In addition to that, it is unknown if the NCAA will allow LaMelo to play for a college program after playing professionally in Europe and releasing his own shoe last year.