LaVar Ball talked a big game many years ago when he vowed to put each of his sons in the NBA, and he took much flack for his bombastic claim. This offseason, his proclamations became reality when LaMelo was drafted No. 3 overall to the Hornets and LiAngelo was signed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the Pistons.
With an “I Told You So” hat on his head, LaVar spoke to ABC 11 out of Durham, North Carolina, about how he’s feeling now that he was proven right.
“I’m having a great time. I hate to tell people I’m so good, but I’m also the luckiest man in the world. That’s just me and I’m having a great time, so I don’t have to sit back and be like ‘Wow, this is awesome.’ I knew it was awesome. The journey is awesome so it’s a beautiful thing.”
Ball also was asked if he felt pride seeing each of his sons enter training camp with an NBA team this offseason. Ball peeled back the character of the Big Baller and offered a more thoughtful answer.
“I’ve always been proud of my boys. It’s never wavered or never changed. Ever since they came out of their mama, I’ve been proud of them. It’s not for me to be, all of the sudden, a few years go by and ‘oh there’s a proud moment.’ Every moment I have with my boys is a proud moment for me.”
It’s rare for a father to place two sons in the NBA, let alone a trio of brothers. Last season, the three Holiday brothers made history by playing in the same game when the Pelicans traveled to face the Pacers and New Orleans’ Jrue Holiday played against Indiana’s Aaron and Justin Holiday.
That moment will not happen this year for the Ball brothers barring a transaction of some sort, but that doesn’t make the accomplishment any less impressive.