Ball brothers, slowed by injuries, leaving Lithuanian club
LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball are leaving their Lithuania team by mutual agreement.
BC Prienu Vytautas on Thursday announced the departure of the younger brothers of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball. The team says LiAngelo injured an ankle and LaMelo has been bothered by back pain.
Lithuanian basketball writer Donatas Urbonas says on Twitter that father LaVar Ball told him he was upset over LaMelo’s diminished playing time.
“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.
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) April 25, 2018
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
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) April 25, 2018
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.”
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) April 25, 2018
Nineteen-year-old LiAngelo averaged 12.6 points and 21.2 minutes in 14 games, and 16-year-old LaMelo averaged 6.5 points and 12.4 minutes in eight games.
LiAngelo left UCLA in December after he was suspended for shoplifting during the Bruins’ trip to China. He has declared for the NBA draft. LaMelo left his California high school to turn pro.
