NBA World Reacts To LiAngelo Ball Contract News
LaVar Ball might not have two, but three sons playing in the NBA this coming season. As Lonzo Ball enters another season with the New Orleans Pelicans and LaMelo Ball prepares for his first season with the Charlotte Hornets after going No. 3 in the NBA Draft, middle brother LiAngelo Ball is getting a shot.
Per a report by Shams Charania, LiAngelo is signing with the Detroit Pistons. The 22-year old, who last appeared in a single game for the G-League’s Oklahoma City Blue, is getting a one-year, non-guaranteed contract. Still, most probably deemed his NBA hopes dead, so it is very good news for him.
Ball’s hoops career has been extremely up and down. He was set to begin a college career at UCLA, following in Lonzo’s footsteps, until he was arrested in China during an overseas team trip for allegedly stealing a pair of high-end sunglasses. He left the program weeks later.
He and LaMelo had a brief stint playing professionally in Lithuania. They then played in LaVar’s Junior Basketball Association, playing for the league’s Los Angeles team. He missed much of last season after having ankle surgery, but signed with the Oklahoma City Blue in late 2019, and made his G-League debut in March, just before the league shut down.
LiAngelo Ball, the brother of Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball (No. 2 overall pick in 2017) and Hornets No. 3 pick LaMelo Ball, is signing an Exhibit 10 deal, sources said. The Ball brothers are now all signed to NBA contracts. https://t.co/o0daB2O2z2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 2, 2020
LaVar Ball is obviously a very divisive figure. You could also make a strong argument that he didn’t really help maximize his middle son’s potential, as he was never seen as much of a prospect as the other two Ball Brothers. Still, most seem pretty happy that LiAngelo is getting a shot to live out his own NBA dream, even if it remains a longshot for him to make the Pistons roster.
LaVar Ball spoke it into existence.
Lonzo Ball – Pelicans
LaMelo Ball – Hornets
LiAngelo Ball – PistonsThose Ball boys. 🔥
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 2, 2020
FWIW: Detroit Pistons have a two-way contract they can offer LiAngelo Ball if he impresses in training camp. Teams are allotted two of those contracts. As of now, Saben Lee is the only player they have on such a deal. That being said, Anthony Lamb makes a lot more sense.
— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) December 2, 2020
LIANGELO BALL TO THE PISTONS? Lavar Ball will go down as greatest basketball father of all-time
— Troydan (@Troydan) December 2, 2020
Now that LiAngelo Ball was signed we need Lavar back on First Take pic.twitter.com/6CZz10Eneh
— Not a banwagon Warriors fan (@NotBanwagon) December 2, 2020
Lavar Ball After Liangelo Ball Gets Signed To The Pistons To Finally have all 3 Ball Brothers in the NBA pic.twitter.com/Gj6kwFFC7k
— 👹 Teezy (@mydrumhold100) December 2, 2020
LaMelo is the first of the Balls to congratulate his older brother on the signing. He took to Instagram moments ago.
Congrats to LiAngelo Ball and the whole family on their big day.
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