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?”
Lonzo Ball gets real honest with his brother LiAngelo Ball telling him the NBA is not a realistic future for him and it’s better to play overseas. https://t.co/WQBjQpPdnG
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) November 28, 2024
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.
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