Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball lending helping hand to LiAngelo Ball

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 29: Lonzo Ball #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets his brother LiAngelo Ball #2 after he completed his NBA Pre-Draft Workout with the Los Angeles Lakers on May 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 29: Lonzo Ball #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets his brother LiAngelo Ball #2 after he completed his NBA Pre-Draft Workout with the Los Angeles Lakers on May 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball has been helpful throughout the draft process for his younger brother, LiAngelo.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been holding numerous workouts in preparation for the 2018 NBA Draft. One of the highest profile workouts came earlier this week following the holiday with LiAngelo Ball.

Ball, the younger brother of Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball, worked out for the purple and gold. He worked out alongside Tyus Battle of Syracuse, Jaylen Adams of St. Bonaventure, Devon Hall of Virginia, Dusan Ristic of Arizona and Thomas Welsch of UCLA.

LiAngelo is one of the most recognizable prospects in this year’s draft class despite not playing a minute in college basketball.

Ball was involved in an off-court incident while UCLA was in China. He was suspended as a result. Instead of waiting things out in UCLA, his father, LaVar Ball, took him out of school and brought him overseas. LiAngelo played with his younger brother, LaMelo, in Lithuania with Vytautas Prienu.

More from Lake Show Life

Getting into the NBA is difficult enough. When you take a path as untraditional as LiAngelo has, it is even more difficult. However, having someone close to you that went through the process already helps.

Lonzo went through the hectic pre-draft process last year. He had his name dragged through the mud throughout the process as people nitpick looking for things you do wrong. It didn’t hurt Lonzo, as he was the No. 2 overall pick by the Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft.

LiAngelo isn’t the prospect that Lonzo was, but he still has received help from Lonzo throughout the process.

"“It was good having an older brother in the league, obviously,” LiAngelo told reporters after his workout with the Lakers on Tuesday. “He’ll tell you certain stuff about the NBA that you might not hear if you don’t have a brother in the league. So it helps a lot.”"

LaVar’s ultimate plan is to have all of his boys on the same team in the NBA, specifically with the Lakers. However, that goal seems to be a pipedream.

Following his workout, it was reported that there was extreme pessimism regarding LiAngelo’s chances of landing with the Lakers in any capacity. ESPN’s Jeff Goodman took it a step further, reporting that NBA executives don’t even believe LiAngelo is talented enough to play in the G League.

Next: 5 Guards For Lakers To Consider In 2018 NBA Draft

Despite all the pessimism, Ball will continue working out for teams.  While his chances of getting drafted are unlikely, he could land with a team for the Summer League. It would give him an opportunity to showcase his talent against other NBA hopefuls with an eye towards training camp or the G League.

Home/Lakers News