LaVar Ball, father of NBA stars Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, reportedly had his foot amputated due to a medical issue. He remains in good spirits, according to reports.
LaVar Ball, the father of basketball stars Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo Ball, has reportedly had his foot amputated after suffering a serious medical issue, according to TMZ Sports. The Ball family patriarch recently underwent a procedure to have his right foot removed. Despite this, he is reportedly in good spirits and doing well.
LaVar Ball gained notoriety for his ambitious plans for his sons and the creation of the Big Baller Brand, which developed signature shoes for all three players. He has made headlines for his bold declarations about his sons and has received praise following their success. Lonzo and LaMelo are currently stars in the NBA, and LiAngelo is pursuing a music career.
In recent years, LaVar has distanced himself from the spotlight but remains his sons’ biggest fan. He was a college sports star himself, playing at Cal State-Los Angeles and spending time with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers organizations.
Details of the Amputation
Details surrounding the ‘serious medical issue’ that led to the amputation have not been revealed. It is reported that the 57-year-old underwent the procedure recently. None of the Ball brothers have publicly addressed their father’s surgery.
LaVar’s Impact and Controversies
LaVar Ball is known for thrusting his three sons into the spotlight. He predicted that all three would play for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Lonzo currently plays guard for the Chicago Bulls after playing for the Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans. LaVar criticized the Lakers for trading Lonzo to the Pelicans in 2019, claiming that they would regret the decision and never win another championship.
LaMelo has been with the Charlotte Hornets for five seasons, after being drafted with the third overall pick in 2020, and was named Rookie of the Year. LiAngelo is pursuing a music career, having signed a deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group for a guaranteed $8 million, which could rise to $13 million. He will also have his own label, Born2Ball Music Group, and own all of his music.
LiAngelo’s Career Path
LiAngelo’s path to a music career has been unconventional. In 2017, he and two UCLA teammates were detained in China for suspicion of shoplifting. They were released the following day, and then-President Donald Trump took credit for their release. LiAngelo and his teammates were suspended from UCLA, leading to a nomadic basketball journey. He played in Lithuania and in the LaVar Ball-founded JBA league before playing in the NBA G-League and in Mexico. LiAngelo also had stints with the NBA’s Pistons and Hornets but never appeared in a regular season game.
LaVar’s Own Sports Career
LaVar Ball had a brief sports career himself. He played tight end at Cal State-Los Angeles and spent time with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers organizations.
Controversies Beyond Sports
LaVar has faced criticism for more than just his ambitions for his sons. In 2019, he was banned from ESPN after making an inappropriate remark to First Take anchor Molly Qerim. During his appearance on the show, he made a suggestive comment after Qerim attempted to change the subject. In 2017, he also told a female anchor on Fox Sports to ‘stay in your lane.’
Sources: https://www.tmz.com/2025/02/19/lavar-ball-foot-amputated/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nba/article-14414509/LaVar-Ball-foot-amputated-medical-issue.html
https://www.news.com.au/sport/basketball/nba/serious-medical-issue-basketball-world-stunned-by-lavar-balls-amputation/news-story/2bbc559ab8c2db2f44d5e648af7a90f5