If you love the game of basketball the way we do at GTA Sports, it’s safe to say that you know who NBL’s LaMelo Ball is. The youngest player in NBL’s history to win Rookie Of The Year of the 2019-2020 season, arguably the most popular Rookie Prospect of the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft, the youngest brother of current NBA Star Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans & youngest son of Big Baller Brand’s Founder Lavar Ball. I’ve been a fan of this family phenomenon since 2016 watching the Ball Brothers put Chino Hills, California on the map by setting scoring records and winning titles for their high school basketball program. There’s been a lot of drama surrounding the future of the family brand “BBB” this past year due to Lavar & Lonzo accusing former business partner & co-owner Alan Foster of stealing $1.5 Million dollars from the company. This ultimately lead to not only lawsuits from both sides but also a complete shut down of the BBB Brand. Lonzo disowned the brand by covering his BBB tattoo and going on various radio shows and podcasts revealing the bad quality of his signature shoes the ZO2’s. According to Lonzo, “The shoes was so bad, I had to change pairs after every quarter.” This press run definitely put the future of the brand in jeopardy. Media outlets such as ESPN & Fox Sports have continued to throw the family brand in the trash, encouraging LaMelo to sign with a more established brand such as Nike, Jordan or Under Armor. However, this past week, LaMelo Ball and his Manager Former NBA Player & Coach Jermaine Jackson revealed that PUMA may have a $100 million dollar deal on the table for the future NBA Rookie. PUMA has made a significant impact on the NBA Scene the last couple years. Current signees include Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns, Marvin Bagley III of the Sacramento Kings, Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets & RJ Barrett of the New York Knicks. In my opinion, LaMelo has the greatest opportunity placed before him. He could sign a joint venture with PUMA & BBB which would give the independent family brand the infrastructure it needs to compete on the Global Scene as well as the materials for a stronger quality for Big Baller Brand’s up and coming shoe lines. Lonzo’s troubles with BBB could be avoided, BBB would become an official Brand, Lavar’s vision would finally come to fruition & generational wealth would be build on solid foundation. Hopefully the youngest Ball Brother will be the best one like his father Lavar Ball once predicted.
