On Tuesday, LiAngelo Ball—the younger brother of 2017 No. 2 pick Lonzo—announced his plan to declare for the 2018 NBA Draft. Some laughed at LiAngelo's announcement, like, "does this dude really think he's going to get drafted?"
But it's not ridiculous. He's a 6-foot-5 guard who can fill it up. Maybe he's a longshot, but he has a chance.
Paul Pierce thinks LiAngelo could hear his name in June's draft. The current ESPN commentator and former Boston Celtics great shared his perspective in a brief interview with TMZ Sports that took place as he left a grocery store in Calabasas.
The paparazzi mentioned LiAngelo's decision.
"I saw that. Good luck to him, man, I hope he makes it," Pierce said.
So, could he actually get drafted?
"I think he got a good shot, man, you know," The Truth said. "I hope all the Ball brothers make it to the league. I'm a true supporter to all the California young hoopers, being that I'm from here and I support all of them guys. I hope they all make it."
Ball is currently playing professionally in Lithuania. He intended to play college basketball, but early in his freshman year he was caught shoplifting during a team trip to China. LiAngelo shared his perspective on the incident during a December appearance on the Today show.
On the day he declared for the draft, LiAngelo dropped 72 points while being coached by his dad LaVar in an exhibition game.
