LiAngelo Ball expected to sign NBA contract, become teammates with LaMelo

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A former three-star recruit out of Chino Hills High School, LiAngelo Ball was arrested before his freshman season at UCLA for allegedly stealing sunglasses at a high-end shopping center in China. Following an NCAA suspension, he withdrew from school and signed to play professionally with BC Prienai of the Lithuanian Basketball League.

• LiAngelo Ball stats (2017-18 in Lithuania): 12.6 points, 2.86 rebounds per game, 42.5% from the field and 12/17 AST/TO ratio

LiAngelo later signed with the Los Angeles Ballers, becoming part of the Junior Basketball Association created by LaVar Ball. The league ceased operations in 2019, just a year after its inaugural season.

He finally received his first shot at the NBA in 2019, signing a contract to become a practice player in the NBA G-League. He never saw the court after the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the season.

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LiAngelo signed an Exhibit 10 contract before training camp with the Detroit Pistons before the 2020-’21 NBA season. Just 11 days after signing the deal, Detroit waived him before he saw the court.

He later joined the G-League’s Orlando bubble, but once again didn’t make an impact.

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Entering his second season, LaMelo Ball will likely be on Charlotte’s summer league roster. While LaMelo is expected to have a breakout 2021-’22 season, it would be a surprise if LiAngelo made the roster.