Lakers not interested in LiAngelo Ball joining Lonzo in L.A.

Sam Amick | USA TODAY

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Don’t count on LiAngelo Ball following in his brother’s footsteps.

While the Los Angeles Lakers held a workout Tuesday that included the younger brother of starting point guard Lonzo Ball, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports team officials have no interest in drafting or signing the 19-year-old – for the NBA team or even the G-League team, the South Bay Lakers.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because opinions of draft prospects aren’t typically shared publicly.

LiAngelo Ball began his collegiate career at UCLA, where Lonzo had become a first-team All-American before being drafted second overall by the Lakers in 2017. But just days before the regular season, LiAngelo and fellow UCLA players Cody Riley and Jalen Hill were arrested for shoplifting sunglasses during the team’s trip to Hangzhou, China.

While the charges ultimately were dropped and they returned to America, LiAngelo left UCLA to join his younger brother, LaMelo, to play for BC Prienu Vytautas of the Lithuanian Basketball League.

He averaged 12.6 points and 21.2 minutes during his 14 games there, but – according to the Associated Press – both brothers left the team in what was a mutual decision to part ways. The AP also reported that their always-outspoken father, LaVar Ball, was upset with LaMelo’s diminished playing time.

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