What Will LaMelo Ball Do Next?
LaMelo Ball is one of the most interesting teens in the history of American sports. He has ridden the fame of the Big Baller Brand to 90-point performances, his own shoe, a stint in Lithuania, and countless other wild rides. But as the point guard settles back into life in America, many are wondering what the youngest of the Ball brothers will do next.
1. Play In the G-League
LaMelo's father, the always-controversial LaVar Ball, started his own basketball league for players who wanted to be paid instead of playing for free in college. Known as the JBA League, the new venture didn't last long, as the NBA's G-League stepped in to provide a better paying option for NBA hopefuls not yet old enough to enter the draft.
With the NBA's option being affiliated with the league's top-tier clubs themselves, Ball might be well suited giving the G-League a shot. He would be able to test his skills against some of the best prospects in the world without having to ship himself back to Lithuania. And if it works out for him in the G-League, he could earn himself a high slot in a future NBA Draft.
2. Go Overseas
As the Ball family proved when they took their talents to Lithuania, there is a strong market for whatever it is they are doing at any given time. And if LaMelo went to play in another country, he could increase his popularity even further, expanding the Big Baller Brand to levels that LaVar could have never dreamed.
The most natural choice for something like that would be China, but the Ball family might not be wanted there after older brother LiAngelo was caught shoplifting in the country while in college. But playing in higher level European competitions could be a great business decision for the Balls, while improving LaMelo's prospects as a potential draftee.
3. Fire LaVar Ball
LaVar Ball, once humorously listed as a +25000 shot to win the 2020 US presidential election, has been the man in charge of the Ball brothers since they became household names with Lonzo's ascent to stardom at UCLA. But LaVar's insistence on making incendiary comments towards other members of the basketball community has made the Ball family a targeted one. They have turned Lonzo from a promising young player into trade bait, and make it difficult for teams to want to sign LiAngelo or LaMelo. It is possible that the smartest move for LaMelo's future would be to stop working under his dad, and to try to build his own career by making his own decisions.
4. Join WWE
LaMelo Ball appeared on an episode of WWE's Monday Night Raw once, along with LaVar and Lonzo. The episode was a disaster, with LaVar going off-script and LaMelo using profanity on live television. But if WWE was willing to forgive him for the sake of ratings, professional wrestling could be the perfect place for the Ball family to plant their flag next. If nothing else, sports fans might not hate seeing the members of the Ball family get bodyslammed through a table every once in a while.