LaVar Ball’s dream might come true this year. With the 2020-21 NBA season set to start here soon, there could be three Ball brothers in the Association. That includes former undrafted free agent LiAngelo Ball.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Detroit Pistons have signed the 22-year-old Ball to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract.
Detroit Pistons news: Team signs LiAngelo Ball
A former recruit of UCLA, the middle Ball brother has been all around the world in pursuit of his NBA dream. LiAngelo Ball committed to the Bruins back in November of 2016.
He played one exhibition game with UCLA before being arrested in China for stealing from a Louis Vuitton store ahead of the regular season opener against Georgia Tech. Ball was ultimately suspended indefinitely by the basketball program before withdrawing from UCLA completely.
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LiAngelo Ball and his professional career
In 2018, Ball played for the Junior Basketball Association. It was a league founded by his father as an alternative to college basketball.
After suffering an ankle injury, Ball signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s G-League affiliate in that of the Oklahoma City Blue back in Dec of 2019. He played in just one game last season before it was canceled due to COVID-19.
Detroit Pistons news: What the signing of LiAngelo Ball means
Very little in the grand scheme of things. Ball will likely be a training camp and preseason body before being relegated to the G-League once again.
With that said, this presents Ball with an opportunity to prove himself on an NBA stage. Given the Pistons’ status as one of the weakest teams in the Association, this is a tremendous opportunity for the young man.
It also comes mere weeks after Ball’s younger brother, LaMelo, was drafted No. 3 overall by the Charlotte Hornets. Remember, Lonzo Ball is a former top-two pick of the Lakers and the current New Orleans Pelicans starting point guard.
Detroit Pistons roster
Following the signing of LiAnglo Ball, the Pistons’ depth chart is starting to round into form.
- Point guard: Derrick Rose, Killian Hayes, Saben Lee
- Shooting guard: Delon Wright, Wayne Ellington, LiAngelo Ball
- Center: Jahlil Okafor, Mason Plumlee, Dewayne Dedmon
- Power forward: Blake Griffin, Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart, Sekou Doumbouya
- Small forward: Josh Jackson, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Saddiy Bey, Rodney McGruder, Dzanan Musa
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