LaVar Ball, the Big Baller Brand co-founder who is the father the basketball stars Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo Ball, had his right foot amputated this week. He underwent this surgery due to a “serious medical issue” the nature of which has not been specified.
LaVar’s Foot Amputated
LaVar’s foot amputation was confirmed by TMZ, which reported that he is in “good spirits” in the wake of the operation. The Ball family has since shared a photo of LaVar sitting in a wheelchair in the hospital. In the image, his right leg can be seen covered in bandages.
On Thursday, LaMelo took to his Instagram Story to share a photo of LaVar using a scooter to get around after his amputation.
LaVar’s History
LaVar became a household name for being outspoken about his dream for all of his sons to become superstars in the basketball world.
“Speak it into existence,” LaVar told ESPN the Magazine in 2017 when asked about this. “Keep talking about it until it happens.”
Sure enough, LaVar’s dream came true, as all three of his sons achieved basketball success. His oldest son Lonzo played basketball at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) for just one season before he was drafted to the NBA. Lonzo is now a point guard for the Chicago Bills. He previously played for previous spells with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans.
“It’ll be the worst move the Lakers ever did in their life and they’ll never win another championship, guarantee it,” LaVar said after the Lakers traded Lonzo to the Pelicans in 2019.
“They’re going to regret it,” he added at the time. “I’m going to have fun with it.”
Related: WNBA Rescinds Technical Foul That Got Angel Reese Ejected
LaVar’s Younger Two Sons
Meanwhile, LaVar’s second son LiAngelo signed on to play in Mexico’s professional league for the Astros De Jalisco last year. However, he has since decided to instead pursue a career in music. Indeed, LiAngelo is now a rapper who is known by his stage names G3 and GELO.
Finally, LaVar’s youngest son LaMelo has been playing for the Charlotte Hornets ever since he was drafted by the team in 2020.
On Wednesday night, LaMelo dropped 27 points with six assists and five rebounds when his team scored an upset victory over the Los Angeles Lakers by a score of 100-97. So far this season, LaMelo is averaging a career-high 27.3 points with 7.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Related: Hornets LaMelo Ball Fined $100k By NBA For ‘Offensive Comment’
LaVar’s Past Controversy
LaVar has been seen as a controversial figure at times. In 2019, he was banned from ESPN after he made a comment to First Take anchor Molly Qerim that some felt was inappropriate and suggestive. While appearing on her show, LaVar veered off the topic that they were discussing.
“LaVar, can I switch gears with you because I have a question here,” Molly said to him. LaVar then replied, “You can switch gears with me anytime.” As he said this, LaVar seemed to mime the act of shifting a manual transmission.
“LaVar Ball’s comment to Molly Qerim Rose was completely inappropriate and we made him aware of that,” ESPN told USA Today in response to this incident.
Check out the exchange for yourself in the video below.
Whether you like LaVar or not, it’s still incredibly tragic that he has had to get his foot amputated. Please join us in saying a prayer for him during this difficult time!
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