Two days after pulling middle son LiAngelo out of UCLA, LaVar Ball announced that his two youngest sons have signed with an agent in hopes of playing together overseas.
LiAngelo and younger brother LaMelo could even find their way to China, where the former was arrested and later admitted to stealing designer sunglasses at a Louis Vuitton store last month.
‘Of course, why not?’ LaVar told TMZ when asked if China would welcome his son back after his recent arrest. ‘They would be happy to have him.’
Players who have signed with agents are prohibited by the NCAA from playing college basketball, which means LiAngelo will be turning pro along with younger brother LaMelo, a top recruit who had previously declared his intention to follow his older brothers’ lead and attend UCLA.
(From left to right) Lonzo Ball, LaMelo Ball, Tina Ball, LaVar Ball and LiAngelo Ball attend LaMelo Ball’s 16th Birthday. Lonzo plays for the Los Angeles Lakers while LiAngelo and LaMelo have signed with an agent in hopes of playing overseas to prepare for the NBA
However, the NBA has what is known as the ‘one-and-done rule,’ requiring players to be at least one year removed from high school or at least 19 years of age before entering the league, which is why the pair are looking to sign outside the United States.
‘I don’t care about the money,’ LaVar Ball told ESPN. ‘I want them to go somewhere where they will play them together on the court at the same time. The priority is for the boys to play on the same team.’
The pair reportedly signed with agent Harrison Gaines, who represents older brother Lonzo, the second-overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft and the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gaines has yet to respond to a request for comment.
The Ball brothers could even find themselves playing in the Chinese league, where several former NBA players have gone on to make million-dollar salaries towards the end of their careers.
Of course, LiAngelo made national news while visiting China with his now-former UCLA Bruins teammates last month. Along with fellow freshman Jalen Hill and Cody Riley, LiAngelo admittedly stole designer sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store in Hangzhou, where the team was staying ahead of their season opener against Georgia Tech in Shanghai on November 10.
UCLA basketball players Cody Riley, LiAngelo Ball and Jalen Hill speak at a press conference at UCLA after flying back from China, where they were detained on suspicion of shoplifting
LaMelo Ball (left) scored 92 points in a high school game last season before being pulled out of Chino Hills High School by LaVar earlier this year. LiAngelo Ball (right) is said to have ‘no chance’ at being picked in the June NBA Draft after dropping out of UCLA earlier this week
Lonzo Ball was the second pick in the 2017 NBA Draft after starring at UCLA for one season
The three spent less than two days in jail before being released and eventually sent back to the United States on November 14.
Upon their arrival in Los Angeles, it was announced that all three would be suspended indefinitely by the School.
Feeling impatient, LaVar and LiAngelo announced the latter’s intention to pull out of the school on Tuesday so he can focus on preparing for the 2018 NBA Draft.
Unfortunately for LiAngelo, the NBA is not nearly as high on his potential as his brothers’. Lonzo, for instance, was highly recruited before starring at UCLA and LaMelo made a name for himself by scoring 92 points in a high school game last season before being pulled out of Chino Hills High School by LaVar earlier this year.
LaVar Ball manages the sports apparel company, Big Baller Brand, which makes sneakers and sponsors an AAU team
Considered the lowest-rated recruit of UCLA’s freshman class, the 6ft5 LiAngelo was given three out of five stars on ESPN’s college basketball recruiting page, which criticized his lack of lateral quickness and overall defense.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, LiAngelo was said to have ‘no chance’ at being drafted in the June NBA Draft, and ‘that was true before his shoplifting incident in China.’
‘He’s not on any of our scouting lists — even the extended lists,’ one NBA general manager told Wojnarowski.
Las Vegas is taking an equally dim view of LiAngelo’s future in the NBA.
Online sports book Bovada had LiAngelo’s chances of being drafted at -10000 on the moneyline, meaning anyone who took the extraordinarily long odds could win $10,000 on a mere $100 bet. Conversely, it would take a $2,500 bet on LiAngelo going undrafted to win only $100 – a significantly more likely scenario.
LaMelo’s NCAA eligibility was already uncertain after LaVar decided to make a signature shoe for his youngest son with the his athletic apparel company, Big Baller Brand. The NCAA forbids players from signing endorsement deals and could have intervened if LaMelo ever attempted to play for the Bruins.
On Thursday, though, LaVar put that dilemma to rest.
‘He’s not going to play college basketball,’ LaVar told ESPN of LaMelo.
Sources told ESPN that the brothers are being considered by teams in Europe and Asia, where a few American high schoolers have previously gone to play professionally while preparing for the NBA draft.
‘I don’t know the deals and who is offering what,’ Ball said. ‘I’m letting Harrison handle all that, but I know there are a few teams interested. I just need to get them playing again.’