Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsTuesday, August 4, 2026

Lonzo Ball’s dad guarantees UCLA will win the national championship

LaVar Ball made a bold prediction on Thanksgiving.

NCAA Basketball: San Diego at UCLA
NCAA Basketball: San Diego at UCLA
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.

Lonzo Ball entered UCLA with sky-high expectations. He captained arguably the greatest high school basketball team of all-time as a senior at Chino Hills, running through an undefeated season alongside his two younger brothers with a bevy of outlet passes and deep threes. It was fair to wonder if Ball would be able to adjust to a more traditional style of play in college, but so far it’s happening. The Bruins are off to a 5-0 start and Ball is putting up huge numbers.

UCLA looked great again on Thursday night against Portland during a 99-77 win. It had Ball’s father LaVar feeling some type of way while talking to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman:

You heard it from LaVar Ball first: UCLA is winning the national title.

All Lonzo did against Portland was finish with 18 points, 11 assists, and four rebounds on 6-of-9 shooting from the field and 4-of-7 shooting from three. Watch the full highlights right here:

Ball is already drawing Jason Kidd 2.0 comparisons and rejuvenating a UCLA program that failed to generate much excitement under Steve Alford. Is a national title next? If his dad says so.

Men's College Basketball
College basketball’s 9 national championship contenders for 2027 men’s titleCollege basketball’s 9 national championship contenders for 2027 men’s title
Men's College Basketball

These teams can win it all this season in men’s college basketball.

By Ricky O'Donnell
Men's College Basketball
College basketball rankings: Updated men’s top 25 after busy summer of movementCollege basketball rankings: Updated men’s top 25 after busy summer of movement
Men's College Basketball
UCLA lands Nikola Kusturica, its best recruit since Lonzo Ball and a top 2028 NBA Draft pickUCLA lands Nikola Kusturica, its best recruit since Lonzo Ball and a top 2028 NBA Draft pick
Men's College Basketball

Kusturica will be a 17-year-old freshman phenom at UCLA before entering the NBA Draft in 2028.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje is the best prospect in the world outside of the NBA, and Duke is nextJoaquim Boumtje Boumtje is the best prospect in the world outside of the NBA, and Duke is next
NBA

Duke struck gold again. The NBA is already salivating over Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje for 2028.

By Ricky O'Donnell
Men's College Basketball
Dusty May’s stunning NBA departure leaves Michigan facing its biggest test yetDusty May’s stunning NBA departure leaves Michigan facing its biggest test yet
Men's College Basketball

How will Michigan recover from losing Dusty May?

By Mike Rutherford