It’s looking likely that Lonzo Ball will be the only one of his brothers who will ever play a minute of college basketball. LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball are exploring their options to play professionally overseas, according Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports.
LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball are looking to turn pro internationally, per report
The family is reportedly exploring overseas options for their two youngest sons.
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
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.
LiAngelo Ball was a freshman for the Bruins this season until he was pulled out of school by his father LaVar Ball on Monday. Ball was suspended indefinitely by the program after being caught stealing sunglasses in China during the team’s season-opening trip to play Georgia Tech.
LaVar Ball has said LiAngelo will start training for the NBA draft.
LaMelo Ball’s NCAA eligibility was already in question
Ever since LaMelo Ball was pulled out of Chino Hills High School at the start of his junior year back in October to be home schooled, there’s been heavy speculation that he’ll never play college basketball. LaMelo already has his own signature shoe through the family’s Big Baller Brand, making it likely that the NCAA would never rule him eligible in the first place.
LaMelo’s college eligibility would be officially over if he signs a professional contract. He is still only 16 years old. LaMelo is regarded as a five-star recruit and No. 7 overall prospect in the class of 2019 by ESPN.
Finding a professional team might be difficult for the Ball brothers
The Ball brothers are legitimately famous for basketball fans around the world, but there’s no guarantee either will be able to find a professional home this season.
The season has already started for pro leagues in Europe. Those teams are trying to win, and won’t care about developing a 16-year-old like LaMelo who will still be overmatched physically or a 19-year-old like LiAngelo who was barely considered a top-250 prospect in his high school class.
We also already know the Ball family has a bit of reputation in China, should they decide to explore pro options there. LaVar Ball has previously said he will train both sons for their respective NBA draft classes.
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