It seems the Ball family excursion to Lithuania has abruptly ended.
LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball are leaving BC Vytautas, the professional basketball team they signed with to start their hoops careers in an attempt to avoid the NCAA and prepare for the NBA.
The three-month odyssey of playing professional basketball on another continent now appears to be at an end. Ball first moved his kids overseas after LiAngelo left UCLA following a Chinese shoplifting incident. According to journalist Donatas Urbonas, the Ball’s time in Lithuania is over.
Ball reality show comes to an end. BC Vytautas confirmed that Ball brothers are set to leave Lithuania next week, with two LKL regular season games left to play. BC Vytautas still will be fighting to avoid relegation.
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) April 25, 2018
Urbonas spoke to LaVar Ball, who said he wasn’t going to waste his son’s time sitting on the bench.
"We're not going to waste our time no more", LaVar told. LiAngelo injured his ankle, LaMelo didn't get any playing time, so LaVar decided to take all his sons back to LA. Lonzo is visiting his family in Prienai right now. They're set to leave Sunday-Monday.
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) April 25, 2018
Thought Vytautas embraced the Ball family and its Big Baller Brand Challenge league to showcase the two sons, it seems that LaVar Ball clashed with the team’s coach significantly, causing the rift.
LaVar Ball told he was happy with the Lithuania, its people and BC Vytautas organization: “I just didn’t get along with the coach”
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) April 25, 2018
In classic LaVar Ball fashion, he was incredulous when the reporter asked if he would return for another season, saying the coach who sold meat out of the back of his car “ruined everything.”
LaVar Ball confirmed LaMelo is not going back to Prienai next season: “You really ask me this? Coach ruined everything and he’ll have to pay the price that Melo is not coming back.”
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) April 25, 2018
It brings to a close what was an odd but oftentimes compelling era of the Ball family. LaVar certainly has had his issues with coaches before, but this is the first time a conflict like this has made him leave a country.
