With the Lakers conducting multiple draft workouts in the build-up to the NBA Draft on June 21, the team reportedly brought in a familiar name for a private workout this spring.
Former UCLA Bruin LiAngelo Ball, brother of Lonzo Ball, held interviews with a pair of teams in the league while scheduling a work out for the Lakers, Clippers and Warriors, according to Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype.
.@LiAngeloBall says he interviewed with the Thunder and Suns yesterday at the @ProBBallCombine. After this event ends, he has private workouts scheduled with the Lakers, Clippers and Warriors.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) May 23, 2018
Ball is known more for common fans as the Ball brother who was kicked off UCLA’s basketball team last fall after stealing from various shops during the Bruins’ trip to China, a minor crime that turned into an international incident at the time.
After leaving UCLA, LiAngelo and youngest brother LaMelo took to Lithuania to play professionally overseas. In 14 games with Vytautas Prienu, Ball averaged 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and shot 42.5 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from three-point territory.
LiAngelo was commonly regarded as the worst of the three Ball brothers, relatively speaking as he still was given a scholarship to play at UCLA. Ball would likely not have been drafted had he stayed at UCLA this season and given how his career has played out, there’s a very small chance his name will be called during the draft.
However, that isn’t to say he couldn’t turn into a pro prospect whether in America or overseas, as Sam Vecenie of The Athletic pointed out.
I actually think LiAngelo would have a chance to make real money overseas as a small-ball 4 within 4 or 5 years if he would commit to that track. He can shoot, is powerful, and generally played hard in the tape I saw overseas.
NBA fit isn’t there though, IMO. https://t.co/IlRGTdQGiQ
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 23, 2018
Also, I think it’s really worth giving LiAngelo credit. Think he was probably a bit of an underrated NCAA prospect coming into the year. From what I was told, he took his time in Lithuania seriously. Definitely worked on his frame, and improved his game.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 23, 2018
LiAngelo has been tied to his brother Lonzo from the start largely thanks to their father LaVar. Most recently, LaVar stated Lonzo would not re-sign with the Lakers in the future if the team does not sign both LiAngelo and LaMelo.
Prior to that, LaVar also stated that he hoped that LiAngelo and LaMelo would go undrafted so that they could sign with the Lakers to join Lonzo.
The Lakers likely are doing due diligence here, something they’ve done plenty of during the draft process, while also throwing a bone to LaVar and Lonzo. It’ll be interesting to see LiAngelo’s future in the league, whether it’s the NBA, G-League or overseasons.
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