LaVar Ball, the father of NBA guards LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, has undergone surgery to have his right foot amputated due to a serious medical issue, reports say. The 57-year-old is reportedly in "great spirits and doing well," according to TMZ, which first broke the news. The Ball family has not publicly commented on the situation. And no further details about LaVar's health surfaced at this time.
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LaVar gained fame as the outspoken and often controversial father of his sons, who have made significant marks in the world of basketball. His oldest son, Lonzo, rose to stardom at UCLA before the Los Angeles Lakers drafted him second overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. That year, LaVar also co-founded the Big Baller Brand, a line of basketball shoes that he and his sons heavily promoted, gaining attention for both the product and LaVar's larger-than-life personality.
LaVar's youngest son, LaMelo, followed in his brother's footsteps. The Charlotte Hornets drafted him third overall in 2020. LaMelo quickly made an impact in the league, being named NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2020-21 season and earning an All-Star selection in 2022. His rise has added to the Ball family's prominence in the basketball world.
Meanwhile, LaVar's second-oldest son, LiAngelo, had brief stints in the NBA's G-League between 2021 and 2023. However, in January, LiAngelo signed a $13 million deal with Def Jam Records and Universal Music Group, expanding his talents into the music industry. He also performed his hit song "Tweaker" at NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco last weekend, showcasing a different side to his creative abilities.
Ball In The Family
LaVar himself has a background in sports, having played college basketball at Washington State and Cal State Los Angeles. He also played one season of football at Long Beach City College before joining the practice squads of the NFL's New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. Despite being on the rosters, LaVar never played in a regular season NFL game.
While the Ball family has not released any further information regarding LaVar's surgery, his recovery appears to be going well. Fans and well-wishers have sent their support, hoping for a smooth healing process for the outspoken patriarch of the Ball family.
