Lonzo Ball Shares Harsh Truth With LiAngelo Ball About His Dream Of Playing In The NBA

Lonzo Ball kept it real with younger brother LiAngelo about his NBA dream, telling him to consider playing overseas instead of waiting for a shot at the NBA.

5 Min Read

Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Ball Brothers were some of the most hyped high school prospects of all time coming out of California. Eldest brother Lonzo Ball went No. 2 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft while youngest brother LaMelo Ball went No. 3 in the 2020 NBA Draft. Middle brother LiAngelo Ball is still waiting for his shot at the NBA, having had stints with teams during the Summer League and preseason but never earning a spot.

Lonzo and LiAngelo appeared on Angel Reese’s podcast where Lonzo gave his younger brother a harsh dose of reality by telling him he’s likely already gotten his best opportunities at making the NBA and that he should consider going overseas now.

Lonzo Ball: “I feel like the opportunity is not gonna be the same in the G League for him. It’s because of his process and how long it’s been. I am his big brother, I have to tell him the truth. I think his path is overseas, you should’ve been overseas killer.”

LiAngelo Ball: “Overseas is nice but I feel like if I get to the G League, I’m going to carry myself. I only need a shot bro, if they give me the shot, I feel like I will do my thing. I never messed up like that.”

Lonzo Ball: “I feel like you got your shot in the Summer League with the Hornets… Are you gonna sit in the G on the bench or go overseas to somewhere nice and get 30?”

LiAngelo doesn’t have a contract right now and made it clear on the podcast that he’s waiting for an NBA G League team to offer him a spot. Even if he gets an opportunity in the G League, something he’s had before, it will be a long climb to get out of there and earn an NBA spot. Some multi-year veterans who are yet to get a call have been balling in the G League for years, so LiAngelo’s chances are slim.

If he goes overseas and manages to hold his own against top competitors in Europe while playing big minutes, he could make enough of a name for himself to tempt an NBA team into taking a plunge and signing him later, but at 26 years old, it doesn’t look like any team will be buying into LiAngelo saying he can improve if he gets an opportunity.

Ball averaged 4.4 points and 1.1 rebounds over his G League career, making it clear that teams there likely won’t be interested in him after average production in years past. While LiAngelo claims he didn’t get a fair shot the last time he was in the G with the Greensboro Swarm (Charlotte Hornets affiliate). 

His career has been in stark contrast with his two brothers. 

Lonzo saw his career trajectory dramatically altered by a knee injury amidst his best career season in 2021-22 with the Chicago Bulls. He returned this season after nearly three years but has played just four games so far, averaging 5.0 points and 3.5 assists. He was making his name as one of the best 3-and-D guards in the NBA with excellent court vision.

LaMelo Ball is the most successful of the three. He’s in the midst of his best season with the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 31.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. He’s a former All-Star who has also been plagued with injury issues but is still considered a major prospect in the league, and one of the best players the Hornets have had in decades.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:
Share This Article
Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *