16-year-old LaMelo Ball became history when his father, LaVar Ball, used his Big Baller Brand company to release a signature shoe for the 2019 five-star recruit, the Melo Ball 1.
It makes Ball the first high school basketball player to ever have his own signature shoe.
However, it could come with a price.
There have been questions about how LaMelo Ball’s signature shoe could impact his eligibility. The youngest of three Ball brothers is already verbally committed to UCLA — where his oldest brother Lonzo starred and middle brother LiAngelo is set to play this season — but he may never see the court for the Bruins.
That doesn’t seen to bother his father though, as noted during a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take.
You can check out the video below:
“The only thing they worried about is the money,” LaVar said. “How you thinking about not saying that the shoe look good or nothing like that? The first thing they’re trying to say is. ‘How can we make him ineligible?’ This has never happened before. So, you don’t even have a rule for it. You’re trying to find one.
“To say, ‘Yo, we gotta make him ineligible because he can’t be making money off a shoe.’”
LaMelo is entering his sophomore year at Chino Hills High School.
So while he may eventually bypass the NCAA and prepare for a potential NBA career, he has two more years in high school to enjoy living it up and putting his best foot forward on the court to prove he belongs at the highest level.
Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!
Photo Credit: Ball In The Family
