So much for “father knows best.”
Controversial basketball father and media personality LaVar Ball was at LAX when TMZ caught up to ask about the professional future of his second-of-three sons, LiAngelo.
A short time later, TMZ questioned LiAngelo himself.
The headline-grabbing father, who simultaneously runs a sports apparel company while managing his sons’ athletic careers, said he was open to letting LiAngelo return to China if it meant being on a professional basketball team.
“Of course!” Vall exclaimed. “Why not?!” He even asserted China “would be happy to have him.”
In November, LiAngelo Ball was arrested and jailed for shoplifting in China. President Trump intervened to have him and his two teammates released. But when the older Ball refused to thank the President for his role in freeing his son, a highly-publicized feud broke out.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/933280234220134401
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/933282274937733126
LiAngelo himself thanked President Trump in a press conference and has relatively stayed outside the limelight.
The younger Ball didn’t comment about playing in basketball in China, but quietly said he would be willing to play overseas.
On Monday, LaVar Ball revealed he was withdrawing LiAngelo from UCLA after the school suspended the freshman indefinitely over the shoplifting arrest.
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Ball said he will prepare his son for the NBA draft without the assistance of a university. “I’m going to make him way better for the draft than UCLA ever could have,” he said.
Observers on social media are less confident about LiAngelo’s future sans a college education.
So China is trying to steal him ?? ????
— BOIMA – 1 of 1 (@boima_bfree) December 7, 2017
because he’s definitely ain’t making it to the NBA thats why.
— big Bird (@Bigbird29046989) December 7, 2017
If he ends up ruining his career over some sunglasses… I can’t wait for the 30 for 30 on the family
— ⚡️Riyad⚡️ (@JustRelaxKidd) December 4, 2017
What did #Lavar expect? Good for @UCLAMBB and for @UCLA. He should’ve been expelled but at least there’s some punishment. For the hoops program this is addition by subtraction. No #liangelo means no @Lavarbigballer who behaves like #WorldsWorstAAUParent.
— TermLimits01267 (@ajezouit) December 4, 2017
Lonzo & LaMelo gonna he playing in the league while LiAngelo sells popcorn in the stands
— Justin Tucker = GOAT (@baseballdingerr) December 4, 2017
Go ahead. Send him there. Let’s see what happens.
— Denise (@bluee7686) December 7, 2017
Bye!! Please go away! I couldn’t imagine anyone picking him up to play knowing that abnoxious parent is coming . Where is his Mom to save him
— Kim Maywald (@KimMaywald) December 7, 2017
That’s what he says. I bet Gelo won’t be able to get a visa to China.
— Harold Gim (@yoga__h) December 7, 2017
He better never run afoul of the law over there again because if Trump got him out of trouble…and the Chinese feel like reconsidering, there might be an “unavoidable issue” next time without Trumps help….
— Knovemberson (@KNOVEMBERSON) December 7, 2017
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