LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball are looking into playing professional basketball overseas following LiAngelo’s sudden departure from UCLA, according to a report from Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports.
The younger brothers of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, LiAngelo and LaMelo already have professional representation from agent Harrison Gaines. Per Charania’s report, Gaines recently began contacting overseas teams to gauge interest.
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With both Ball brothers looking into playing professional basketball, it likely means the end of any chance that they play college basketball. LiAngelo was a freshman on UCLA this season before he was one of three players arrested for shoplifting during the team’s trip to China last month. His father, LaVar Ball, told reporters on Monday that LiAngelo is withdrawing from school to focus on professional basketball. LaMalo, a high school junior and former UCLA commit, has been home-schooled this year after previously being enrolled at Chino Hills High School.
It’ll be fascinating to see what kind of market the brothers have overseas as young American players haven’t fared very well going against older and more seasoned professionals. Some overseas leagues also have a limit on the number of American players that can be on a roster so that might factor into the equation if the brothers are trying to play together.
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And with LiAngelo’s legal issues in China earlier this month, the Chinese Basketball Association -- which previously fostered former high school star Emmanuel Mudiay for a year before he went to the NBA -- likely isn’t a realistic option.