Career Timeline of LaVar Ball: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how LaVar Ball made an impact.

LaVar Ball is an American businessman and the CEO of Big Baller Brand, a sports apparel company. He's known for founding the now-defunct Junior Basketball Association (JBA) and, most notably, for being the father of professional basketball players Lonzo and LaMelo Ball. His other son, LiAngelo Ball, is a hip hop artist signed to Def Jam. LaVar Ball is known for his outspoken personality and promotional skills, heavily marketing his sons and their brand through various media appearances.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1985: College Basketball at West Los Angeles College

In 1985, LaVar Ball began his college basketball career at West Los Angeles College in the Western State Conference.

1986: Record-Breaking Season

In the 1985-1986 season, LaVar Ball broke the West Los Angeles College record for rebounds with 316. In the season opener of 1986, he scored 33 points and grabbed 18 rebounds against Porterville College.

1987: Continued Success in College Basketball

In the 1986-1987 season, LaVar Ball averaged 22.2 points and 12.0 rebounds per game at West Los Angeles College.

1989: Transfer to Cal State Los Angeles

In 1989, LaVar Ball transferred to Cal State Los Angeles, competing in NCAA Division II alongside three of his brothers.

1990: All-CCAA First Team Selection

In the 1989-1990 season, LaVar Ball averaged 15.8 points and 8.9 rebounds for Cal State Los Angeles and was named to the All-CCAA first team.

May 1, 1994: Signing with the New York Jets

On May 1, 1994, LaVar Ball signed with the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL) as a defensive end.

March 7, 1995: Return to Jets and Assignment to London Monarchs

On March 7, 1995, LaVar Ball returned to the New York Jets as a tight end and was promptly assigned to the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football (WLAF).

November 1995: End of Football Career

In November 1995, LaVar Ball's football career ended due to injury while he was part of the Carolina Panthers' practice squad. He then retired to become a personal trainer in California.

1995: Brief Professional Football Career

In 1995, LaVar Ball was a practice squad member of the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, though he never played in a regular season game. He also played for the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football, recording 28 kickoff return yards.

2016: Big Baller Brand Co-founded

In 2016, LaVar Ball co-founded Big Baller Brand, a sports apparel company, with Alan Foster. Despite being the creator, LaVar held a minor share, with his son Lonzo having the majority.

March 2017: Brand Promotion and NCAA Controversy

In March 2017, LaVar Ball promoted Big Baller Brand on national TV, comparing it to Nike and Adidas. Lonzo's connection to the brand while playing college basketball at UCLA raised concerns about NCAA rule violations. Also in March 2017, Time wrote an article about the Ball's campaign against the NCAA rules.

May 4, 2017: Big Baller Brand Announces ZO2 Shoes

On May 4, 2017, Big Baller Brand announced its first shoes, the ZO2, priced at $495 with shipping expected by November 24. This announcement spurred criticism about the pricing from figures like Shaquille O'Neal and Dick Vitale, but also garnered support from some NFL players. LaVar Ball defended the price on Twitter with the statement, "If you can't afford the ZO2'S, you're NOT a BIG BALLER!"

September 1, 2017: Melo Ball 1 (MB1) Signature Shoe Announcement

On September 1, 2017, Big Baller Brand announced the Melo Ball 1 (MB1) signature shoe for LaMelo Ball, priced at $395 and available for pre-order. This sparked controversy regarding LaMelo's NCAA eligibility, but LaVar Ball expressed disregard for NCAA rules.

PUMA Mens MB1 376813 01 Be You - Size 10.5

Check it on Amazon

December 4, 2017: Creation of Gelo 3 Shoes

On December 4, 2017, LaVar Ball created his own brand of shoes for his son LiAngelo called the Gelo 3, priced at around $395. The shoes were later rebranded as the G3 Lux, after LiAngelo was suspended and later removed from UCLA.

December 11, 2017: LiAngelo and LaMelo sign with Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas

On December 11, 2017, LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball signed with Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas of the Lithuanian Basketball League.

December 20, 2017: Announcement of Junior Basketball Association (JBA)

On December 20, 2017, LaVar Ball announced the creation of the Junior Basketball Association (JBA) under complete funding of Big Baller Brand. The league was designed as an alternative to college basketball with 8 teams playing in major NBA venues, offering salaries to players.

2017: National Sports Headlines

In 2017, LaVar Ball garnered national sports headlines with bold statements, including claiming his son Lonzo was better than Stephen Curry and that he could defeat Michael Jordan in basketball. These comments brought both praise and criticism, especially regarding his company, Big Baller Brand. He also appeared on national TV, criticized his sons' teams, and had an exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump after his son LiAngelo's shoplifting incident in China.

2017: LiAngelo briefly attends UCLA

In 2017, LiAngelo Ball briefly attended UCLA before joining LaMelo in Lithuania.

January 2018: Business Endeavors with Vytautas

In January 2018, after LaMelo and LiAngelo joined Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas, LaVar Ball initiated business ventures involving the team and Big Baller Brand. Vytautas created the Big Baller Brand Challenge Games, a five-game exhibition series, and Big Baller Brand became the team's main sponsor after LaVar reportedly gave "a lot of money" to Vytautas to help pay off its debts.

January 23, 2018: LaVar coaches Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas

On January 23, 2018, LaVar Ball served as an assistant coach for the Big Baller Brand Challenge Games for Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas.

February 2018: Creation of Big Baller Brand Basketball Events

During January and February 2018, while LiAngelo and LaMelo played in Lithuania, LaVar Ball created the Big Baller Brand Challenge Games and Big Baller Brand International Tournament. The Challenge Games were exhibition games for Vytautas, and the International Tournament was a round robin tournament.

April 25, 2018: LiAngelo and LaMelo end stint with Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas

On April 25, 2018, LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball's time with Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas of the Lithuanian Basketball League came to an end.

May 1, 2018: LaVar Ball Considers Bringing LaMelo to JBA

On May 1, 2018, LaVar Ball announced that he would look into bringing his youngest son, LaMelo, into the Junior Basketball Association (JBA) to help upstart it and regain some lost reputation.

June 13, 2018: Ending Quibbles with Luke Walton

On June 13, 2018, LaVar Ball ended his public criticisms of Luke Walton, mentioning that Walton is a good coach who needed time to figure things out.

July 9, 2018: LiAngelo Ball Joins LaMelo in JBA

On July 9, 2018, LiAngelo Ball played with his younger brother LaMelo in the JBA, after being undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft and not participating properly in the 2018 NBA Summer League.

August 3, 2018: JBA All-Star Game and LiAngelo's MVP Award

On August 3, 2018, LaVar Ball coached the Western Conference's All-Star team in the inaugural JBA All-Star Game, which included LiAngelo and LaMelo. The West team won, and LiAngelo was named the All-Star Game MVP.

March 2019: Lonzo Ball Cuts Ties with Alan Foster

In March 2019, Lonzo Ball cut ties with Big Baller Brand's manager and co-founder Alan Foster, alleging that Foster stole $1.5 million from the company. Lonzo also switched from ZO2 shoes to Nike shoes. LaVar Ball expressed regret for trusting Foster and supported Lonzo's decisions. The family discussed potentially closing the business.