After pulling Liangelo from ULCA and Lamelo from Chino Hills High School, Lavar has decided it’s best for his to play professional basketball overseas in Europe. Both kids have now lost their NCAA eligibility because they have signed for the pro team Vytautas Prienai in Lithuania.
Lavar wants his kids to be able to play pro basketball together. With Lonzo being in the NBA, Liangelo getting suspended from UCLA, and Lamelo only being 16 years old this move was about the only way Lavar could seek to getting at least two of his kids playing together.
Lamelo is currently ranked 7th by ESPN’s Top 60 for the 2019 class. Lamelo was also committed to play for UCLA, but now that he’s playing in the pros he’s lost his NCAA eligibility. If Lavar waited to see if Liangelo could get his suspension lifted then Lamelo could have joined Liangelo at UCLA after graduating high school.
The two brothers will be taking on the challenge of playing for a team that is currently tied for last in Lietuvos krepšinio lyga. The brothers will also have limited scouting from the NBA because they are playing in such a small league. The leagues level of play also is also lower than the NCAA. This ultimately could really hurt the two brothers draft stock if they choose to try and get drafted in the NBA.
Most notably ex-NBA players play abroad to either resurrect or finish their basketball careers. Most recently former NBA point guard Brandon Jennings left to play in China. But the Ball brothers want to play in Europe first. Potentially they could join the ranks of the Gasol brothers, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker who all started in Europe. But only time will tell if Lavar’s decision will hurt or benefit his kid’s development.