Videos

LaVar Ball explains why he believes Bronny James should never play college basketball

Published by
Zach Stevens

Bronny James’ senior season of high school basketball at Sierra Canyon School is now in the past, and there is a question about what lies ahead for him as the son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.

Most expect the younger James to play college ball, but LaVar Ball, the father of Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball, feels the younger James should forget about getting his education and instead head to Australia to play in the NBL.

“You playing against grown men and you getting paid,” the 55-year-old said. “If you want to play basketball and you really that dude, why am I sitting in class trying to pass a chemistry test? I don’t wanna play no chemistry. I don’t wanna practice no Spanish. No!

“I wanna wake up, go practice, go back to sleep, go practice, have a game, practice. That’s all I wanna do. I don’t wanna be like, ‘Hey, I’ll meet you in the student union for study hall.'”

According to the NBA’s current rules, players must wait until one year after their class graduates from high school before being eligible for the draft. That would mean the younger James won’t be able to enter the league until the 2024-25 campaign.

While Lonzo Ball played one season of college ball at the University of California, Los Angeles, LaMelo Ball spent some time in the NBL before heading to the NBA two seasons ago and winning the Rookie of the Year award.

He is now a budding star with the Charlotte Hornets, although, like Lonzo Ball, he has had trouble staying healthy.

The younger James has gotten offers from some prominent basketball schools, and he’s coming off a solid performance in the McDonald’s All-American Game on Tuesday in which he hit five 3-pointers.

The guard has been lauded for his smooth offensive game, feel for what’s happening on the court and solid defensive skills. His chances of getting drafted into the NBA have greatly increased over the last several months, and a recent mock draft by ESPN had him going in the top 10.

However, he still has his doubters. One scout said that the younger James was only the 17th-best player in that McDonald’s All-American Game.

The NBL has reportedly already made overtures to him, and playing in Australia would give him the advantage of making some dough while getting to see the rest of the world and experience a slightly different culture.

Zach Stevens

Zach has always had a profound love and respect for the Lakers that has inspired him to write about the franchise. He has a great deal of admiration for LeBron James, and his overall knowledge about the NBA has made him a solid addition to the Lakers Daily staff.

Published by
Zach Stevens

Recent Posts

Jordan and Shaq’s ex-teammate discredits LeBron’s ‘bubble’ ring after he’s called Lakers legend

The Los Angeles Lakers have sky-high expectations compared to the lion's share of other NBA…

December 21, 2024

‘LeBron makes the trades’: Carmelo Anthony speaks out on chances of Lakers dealing LeBron James

Amid chatter about the future of 20-time All-Star LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers,…

December 20, 2024

DeMarcus Cousins says he and Anthony Davis would’ve helped Pelicans become contenders if not for ‘dumba-s’ Dell Demps

Former All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins called out former New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell…

December 19, 2024

Darvin Ham fires massive shot at Lakers: ‘Anywhere else I’m probably looking at an extension’

Darvin Ham has had more NBA Cup success than any coach in the league since…

December 18, 2024

Bobby Portis on the difference between the Bucks and the Lakers: ‘We’re not Hollywood’

The Milwaukee Bucks captured the 2024 NBA Cup title with a 97-81 victory over the…

December 18, 2024

Report: Lakers are not interested in shopping LeBron, Anthony Davis unless they ask out

Perhaps no two players have contributed more to the Los Angeles Lakers since the start…

December 18, 2024