Lonzo Ball's professional career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) has just started and he is already dealing with a controversy involving his brother. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) freshman LiAngelo Ball was caught shoplifting in Hangzhou, China last Tuesday, Nov. 7.
LiAngelo, together with teammates Jalen Hill, and Cody Riley were apprehended at a Louis Vuitton store in Shanghai for alleged stealing. According to several reports, the three were released immediately Wednesday morning.
UCLA's basketball team is in China for an exhibition game against Georgia Tech. During an interview with ESPN, LiAngelo's father, Lavar, said his second eldest is fine and that they are waiting for the legal case to be resolved. "I'm going to wait until I get more intel on what's going on. He'll (LiAngelo) be fine. Everyone's making it a big deal. It ain't that big a deal," he said.
Lonzo has not given any statement about the matter due to most of his time is allotted playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. Lonzo was a UCLA basketball star and the second overall NBA draft pick in 2017. The Ball family's youngest, Lamelo has not commented on the issue.
LiAngelo, Hill, and Riley are ordered to stay in China until their case is resolved. According to Chinese court system for Amnesty International researcher William Nee who spoke with Yahoo, it can take up 30 to 37 days before the three are indicted by the court.
Lavar is currently in China with his wife Tina and son Lamelo attending to LiAngelo. He also went to a pop-up shop event in Shanghai for their family's company, Big Baller Brand. The Ball family worked with the clothing store WZK for the event.
The ball family made headlines earlier this year mainly because of Lavar and his tirades and comments involving other sports icons. The father of the household is recognized for his bravado and statements that he could defeat NBA legend Michael Jordan in a one-on-one match.
