Last month, we reported that the NBA dad LaVar Ball inexplicably had his right leg amputated. Now, Ball is speaking out to reveal the real reason why this happened.
Here’s Why Ball’s Foot Was Amputated
Ball, 57, told SLAM that complications from diabetes is what ultimately led to his foot being amputated. He explained that after he got an infection in his right foot, it “started spreading through my blood due to not paying attention to my diabetes.”
Doctors tried to avoid amputating Ball’s foot at first. Eventually, however, they were left with no choice.
“They cut off my foot,” Ball recalled. “Then, they said, ‘We gotta go almost knee-high for another surgery.'”
Ball ended up needing three surgeries and four blood transfusions to fix this issue. He was understandably left devastated by the amputation of his foot, and he’s still coming to terms with it
“It made me think, ‘Man, just kill me and let me go about my business,'” he confessed. “It made me think that maybe it’s time for me to shut it down.”
Ball went on to say that his three sons played a huge role in him fighting through this difficult health issue. Indeed, he’s still determined to be a father to his boys, so he was able to push through.
Ball also has some advice that we all would do well to listen to.
“Get your checkups,” Ball stated. “Do what you’re supposed to do. If you don’t have insurance, go to urgent care. Because I’m going to tell you this, a little amputation and a little of this, it could all have been prevented.”
Backstory: LaVar Ball Has Right Foot Amputated After Serious Medical Complications
Ball’s History With His Sons
Ball 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,” Ball told ESPN the Magazine in 2017 when asked about this. “Keep talking about it until it happens.”
Sure enough, Ball’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,” Ball 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.”
Ball’s Younger Two Sons
Meanwhile, Ball’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, Ball’s youngest son LaMelo has been playing for the Charlotte Hornets ever since he was drafted by the team in 2020.
Related: Hornets LaMelo Ball Fined $100k By NBA For ‘Offensive Comment’
This has clearly been an extremely difficult few weeks for Ball. Please join us in saying a prayer for both his physical and mental health as he continues to adjust to life as an amputee!
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