LiAngelo Ball made his JBA League Debut on Thursday and went off. The middle Ball brother earned a triple-double scoring 53 points while grabbing 10 boards and 10 assists. Gelo’s effort carried the Los Angeles Ballers to a 140-171 victory over Philadelphia.
LiAngelo joined the JBA League after a failed attempt at earning a spot on an NBA roster. The 19-year-old baller recently played professionally overseas in Lithuania as the starting guard for Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas, but left to pursue his NBA dreams.
His younger brother LaMelo also played in Lithuania with Gelo and for the third time the two Ball brothers have teamed up again in the JBA League. They also played for the same high school team in Chino Hills prior to Gelo’s graduation.
The LaVar Ball founded basketball league was created as a paid alternative to playing for the NCAA. The league also gives athletes an opportunity for recognition by the NBA. With a 53 point performance, Gelo’s game may turn the head of some NBA scouts.
Prior to the draft, Gelo had the opportunity to work out for his older brother Lonzo Ball’s current team, the Los Angeles Lakers. The workout was said to be less than stellar, but the middle Ball still has hopes to one day be a Laker as caught on camera by TMZ.
Prior to JBA and Lithuania, Gelo was on the roster for the UCLA Bruins, same as his brother Lonzo, but was suspended indefinitely after a stealing scandal happened in China that landed the former Bruin in a Chinese prison. LaVar quickly pulled Gelo from UCLA after the team refused to reactivate him for his Freshman season.
