During a panel discussion at the Sports Business Journal’s 2017 World Congress of Sports on Thursday, Nike executive George Raveling said LaVar Ball is “the worst thing to happen to basketball in the last hundred years.”
LaVar Ball ‘is the worst thing to happen to basketball in the last hundred years,’ says Nike executive
Ball has been outspoken about his three sons, including projected top-two overall pick Lonzo Ball.
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Ball is the father of UCLA Bruins standout guard Lonzo Ball who is projected as a top-two pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He also has two other sons, LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball, who have each committed to UCLA and are expected to be future NBA players, as well.
Ball drew controversy when he said he would settle for no less than a combined $1 billion sneaker contract for his three sons.
“A billion dollars, it has to be there,” Ball told USA Today in mid-March. “That’s our number, a billion, straight out of the gate. And you don’t even have to give it to me all up front. Give us $100 mil over 10 years.”
Nike’s co-founder, Phil Knight, called Ball’s demand a bit expensive but re-iterated the company is interested in the his sons.
“If he can get it, get it,” Knight said of the $1 billion asking price. “It’s a little steep. … He’s an awfully great player. Yeah, we have an interest.”
Lonzo Ball averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 assists, six rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, shooting 41.2 percent from three-point range to lead the Bruins to a Sweet 16 matchup in this year’s NCAA tournament. UCLA lost to the Kentucky Wildcats, 86-75, behind Ball, who scored just 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting and turned the ball over four times.
LaVar Ball has meddled in his sons’ basketball affairs all season long.
Ball said on an Arizona talk radio show his son, Lonzo, would only play for the Los Angeles Lakers, who currently hold the third-best odds at the No. 1 pick but could lose their draft pick altogether.
He reportedly undermined LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball’s high school coach during games this season. He said on multiple occasions his son is better than two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry, and questioned the futures of four-time MVP LeBron James’ sons.
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