The Big Baller Brand Lithuania Tour appears to be coming to an end. With LiAngelo Ball nursing an ankle injury and preparing for the NBA Draft, and LaMelo Ball receiving minimal playing time, their father, LaVar, has elected to pull them from their team, Vytautus.
The not-at-all surprising reason: LaVar couldn't get along with the team's head coach.
Lithuanian basketball journalist Donatas Urbonas, who has chronicled the Balls' Lithuanian run, documented the family's decision to depart.
Ball reality show comes to an end. BC Vytautas confirmed that Ball brothers are set to leave Lithuania next week, with two LKL regular season games left to play. BC Vytautas still will be fighting to avoid relegation.
"We're not going to waste our time no more", LaVar told. LiAngelo injured his ankle, LaMelo didn't get any playing time, so LaVar decided to take all his sons back to LA. Lonzo is visiting his family in Prienai right now. They're set to leave Sunday-Monday.
LaVar added that they had to shut down Gelo for the season in order to prepare better for NBA draft combine, pre-draft camps and so on. But he was mad that Melo didn’t get any playing time in the end of the season
LaVar Ball told he was happy with the Lithuania, its people and BC Vytautas organization: “I just didn’t get along with the coach”
Lonzo Ball on what are the chances for LaMelo to play in Lithuania next season: “We’ll see. He is still so young”
LaVar Ball confirmed LaMelo is not going back to Prienai next season: “You really ask me this? Coach ruined everything and he’ll have to pay the price that Melo is not coming back.”
LiAngelo, who was set to play at UCLA until he was caught shoplifting in China in November, emerged as one of the team's go-to scorers. LaMelo, however, averaged only 12 minutes per game and shot less than 27 percent from the field. He mainly saw the court during exhibition games.
LiAngelo is projected as a fringe second-round or undrafted pick.
