A Father’s Love: LaVar Ball's Impact on NBA Sons Lonzo and LaMelo

Written By: Jackie Rae

Father's Day gives us an opportunity to do something we should do year-round: celebrate the influences, sacrifices, and triumphs our fathers achieved as they shaped us into the people we are today. For LaVar Ball, those sacrifices and influences have made him one of the most polarizing and impactful fathers in the NBA.

Regardless of how you feel about the patriarch of the Ball family, it's undeniable that he is the reason Lonzo Ball became a highly anticipated first-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Watching Lonzo at UCLA, many believed he could have benefited from another year or two in college. 

However, an extended college stay was not in LaVar's plans. Whether motivated by a desire to avoid his own collegiate disappointment or by a belief in the raw talent of his three sons, LaVar coached Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo with a singular goal: successful NBA careers.

LaVar's antics were often over the top, designed to generate free publicity for his sons and his apparel company, Big Baller Brand. Despite the overpriced and sometimes cheaply made products and a partnership with Alan Foster, who was accused of embezzling millions from the company, LaVar's intentions were always in the right place.

With the creation of Big Baller Brand and the Junior Basketball Association, LaVar set out to do something all fathers aspire to: build a legacy that can sustain his children and their families for generations. While his methods and business decisions are open to debate, his intentions for his sons are crystal clear. 

Lonzo and LaMelo made it to the NBA, and their financial success speaks volumes. Injuries aside, Lonzo has earned $91.5 million during his NBA career thus far, and LaMelo recently signed a five-year, $204.45 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets.

No matter his methods, LaVar Ball paved the way for his sons' success. As we celebrate Father's Day, let's recognize the impact of fathers like LaVar, whose dedication and drive help shape the stars of tomorrow.