Lonzo Ball is starting to open up as the NBA Draft draws near. The UCLA standout and top prospect in next week’s draft hasn’t said much, especially compared to his father, LaVar. That’s changed in recent days as the rumor mill swirls about his draft status with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ball appeared in a Foot Locker commercial poking fun at his father’s loud public persona and also gave an interview to Fox Sports where he discussed his playing preference when he finally takes the floor this fall. His choice of team won’t surprise you—he’d prefer to play for the Los Angeles Lakers—though he insists that he’ll play anywhere.
“You’re in the NBA,” Ball said. “So it doesn’t really matter. But if I had a preference, I’d like to stay home, just to be with my family and stuff. But at the end of the day, the NBA’s the NBA. It doesn’t matter who you play for.”
It’s a very diplomatic answer given that the Lonzo to the Lakers train has seemed to slow in recent days. Ball didn’t have an overwhelmingly spectacular workout with the Lakers last week, and reports say the team is concerned about his fitness. They’ve brought in other prospects such as Josh Jackson and De’Aaron Fox to explore their options with the second overall pick.
Other interesting notes from the Fox Sports interview is Ball’s shoe collection. Since launching his own ZO2 signature shoe, Ball’s choice of footwear has gained a lot of attention. He didn’t wear the signature shoe during his Lakers workout but later wore them on a Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance. Ball said “I can wear whatever I want” during the interview, and had some pretty standard answers when asked for favorites about his 25-30-shoe collection.
“Jordan 3s of course,” he said, noting his favorites. “I have three or four pairs of those. I like the 11s, and I like Yeezys, too.”
Overall, Lonzo seems pretty at ease in the interview, something he’s done more of as the draft draws near. His father’s media attention has helped shield him from most of the attention that comes with the draft process, but as the days of his prospect status are coming to a close, Lonzo’s starting to sound like a pro.
