Why Isn’t Liangelo Ball In The NBA?
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Many people are wondering why Liangelo Ball is not in the NBA, especially after he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2018 NBA Draft. While his basketball skills are undeniable, there are a few factors that have contributed to his lack of NBA success.
Liangelo Ball’s Career
Liangelo Ball is an American basketball player who was born on November 18, 1998. He is the son of former NBA player, LaVar Ball, and the younger brother of current NBA player, Lonzo Ball. Liangelo Ball played college basketball for one season with the UCLA Bruins before leaving school to pursue a professional career. He was not selected in the 2018 NBA draft and has not played in the NBA.
G-League
In order to be eligible for the NBA draft, players must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft and at least one year removed from the graduation of their high school class. If a player didn’t graduate high school, then he must turn 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft. Players who are not automatically eligible for the NBA draft can enter what is known as the “G-League” or “developmental league.” The G-league is used as a way for prospects to show that they can play at a high level and it can be used as a stepping stone into the NBA.
careers have been made in the G-League, with players such as Jeremy Lin, Danny Green, and Jonathon Simmons all using it as a springboard into successful NBA careers. However, not every player who goes to the G-League makes it to the NBA. In fact, most players don’t. For every player who makes an NBA roster, there are dozens more who don’t. The G-League is filled with players who are trying to work their way up to the NBA, but many of them will never make it.
Liangelo Ball is currently in the G-League, but he does not appear to be on any NBA team’s radar. He has not played well enough in the G-League to warrant an NBA contract and he does not appear to be close to making an NBA roster. His lack of success in the G-League suggests that his chances of making an NBA roster are slim to none.
Junior Basketball Association
The Junior Basketball Association (JBA) is an American basketball league founded in June 2017 by LaVar Ball. The league is open to all players who are ineligible for the NBA draft due to their age or lack of experience. The JBA’s inaugural season began on June 21, 2018.
LiAngelo Ball, the brother of Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball and New Orleans Pelicans rookie shooting guardmelo Ball, was a former JBA player. He played for the Los Angeles Ballers during the 2018 season. After averaging 2.5 points per game in 10 games, he was released by the team on July 26, 2018.
The NBA’s Developmental League
Liangelo Ball, the brother of current Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball, was not drafted into the NBA after spending a year playing professionally in Lithuania.
NBA G League
The NBA G League, formerly the D-League, is the NBA’s official minor league. Founded in 2001, the league began with eight teams and has grown to twenty-six franchises across the United States. The G League’s mission is to “develop world-class basketball players, referees, and coaches for the NBA while providing affordable family entertainment for our fans.”
Liangelo Ball, brother of Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball, was drafted by the Los Angeles Ballers in the second round of the 2018 G League draft. He did not receive an NBA call-up during his time with the Ballers and was released by the team on January 7, 2019.
NBA 2K League
The NBA 2K League, founded in 2018, is a professional esports league co-operated by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (“Take-Two”). Its goal is to bring competitive gaming into the mainstream for both players and fans through structured league play. The League features the best NBA 2K players in the world.
To be eligible to play in the NBA 2K League, players must be at least 18 years old and cannot be currently signed to an NBA G League, NBA, or overseas professional basketball contract. If a player meets these qualifications and is not selected during the draft process, he or she will become a free agent and can be signed by any team that has an open roster spot.
The NBA 2K League Draft is an annual event that determines which of the league’s 30 teams (29 U.S.-based teams and 1 from Canada) will select new players. To be eligible for the draft, players must first try out during one of the many “combine” events held throughout the year.
During each combine, eligible players participate in various drills and scrimmages in front of scouts from all 30 NBA 2K League teams. These scouts evaluate each player on his or her individual skillset as well as how well he or she works with others. After the combines are completed, each team submits their rankings of the top 300 eligible players to the league office.
These rankings are used to determine which players will be invited to attend the draft combine, where they will compete against each other in more scrimmages and drills in front of all 30 teams’ scouts and general managers. During this event, each team gets one pick in rounds 1-5 to select their new player. In rounds 6-10, picks are given out via a snake draft order based on Reverse Standings from the previous season (worst records get first picks). Any remaining roster spots are filled via free agency after the draft has concluded.
Liangelo Ball’s Future
Liangelo Ball might not be in the NBA, but he is still young and has a lot of potential. He could end up being a very good player if he continues to work hard.
NBA
LiAngelo Ball is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for one season with the UCLA Bruins before he was released after being suspended following a shoplifting incident in China.
Despite his collegiate career lasting only one game, Ball was considered a top professional prospect before his release from UCLA. He entered the 2018 NBA draft but was not selected in the draft’s two rounds. However, he would go on to sign a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ball has faced numerous questions about why he isn’t in the NBA. The simple answer is that he wasn’t drafted. But there are many more factors that come into play when it comes to making it to the NBA.
First and foremost, players need to have the skill set to compete at the highest level. Although Ball has shown promise as a scorer, his lack of elite level athleticism and defensive ability likely hurt his chances of being drafted.
In addition, character concerns may have also played a role in Ball not being drafted. The shoplifting incident in China led many to question his decision making abilities, and scouts may have been hesitant to draft a player with off-the-court baggage.
It’s also worth noting that Ball isn’t alone in not making it to the NBA immediately after leaving college. Every year, there are plenty of players with similar stories. In fact, only 60 of the nearly 500 players who declare for the NBA draft each year are actually selected.
So while LiAngelo Ball may never play in an NBA game, he’s certainly not alone in his journey to try and make it to the league.
Overseas
Liangelo Ball is not in the NBA.
He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, but was quickly waived by the team. He then joined his father’s Big Baller Brand and signed with Lithuanian basketball club Prienai-Birstonas Vytautas. In December, he parted ways with the club.
In January 2019, Ball signed with the Southern California Billy goats of the American Basketball Association.
On March 28, 2019, Ball was announced as an early entry candidate for the 2019 NBA draft but did not hire an agent, making him eligible to return to play for the Billy goats should he choose to do so.