LiAngelo Ball’s basketball career has been all over the place, but the middle Ball brother seems focused on where he wants to take his talents. Gelo was recently offered a contract to play in the British Basketball League for the London Lions, a deal that he turned down due to his NBA G-League goals.
This deal was revealed on the Ball in the Family reality show on Facebook where the former UCLA Bruin explained his decision. “It probably sounds a little crazy to other people, but I think my best path to get to the league is to join the G League instead of the London Lions,” Ball said. “It’s a big decision, but I’m not nervous and I know that’s going to be the right role for me.” Ball did not reveal the details of the contract.
Gelo’s NBA dreams have been hit with roadblocks and questionable detours influenced by his father, LaVar Ball, who has become somewhat of a basketball influencer. LiAngelo was a UCLA Bruins member, same as his older brother Lonzo until an incident in China that involved shoplifting at a Louis Vuitton store left Gelo suspended indefinitely. Upset with the team’s decision to suspend his son, LaVar took Gelo out of UCLA and sent Gelo and LaMelo (who at the time was in high school) to play professionally in Lithuania.
Eventually, the Ball brothers came back to the states with Gelo entering the NBA draft and LaMelo eventually taking his talents to Spire Prep Academy in Ohio. Gelo went without an NBA contract and eventually played in the Big Baller Brand JBA League for a season.
LiAngelo is now chasing a G-League contract this summer as the G-league season is coming to a close. As for the youngest of the three hoopers, rumors of LaMelo seeking Collegiate basketball at the University of Southern California have spread throughout the hoops community.
