Childhood and Education Journey of LaVar Ball in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of LaVar Ball, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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

October 23, 1967: LaVar Ball's Birth

On October 23, 1967, LaVar Christopher Ball was born. He would later become an American businessman, co-founder and CEO of Big Baller Brand, founder of the Junior Basketball Association (JBA), and father of basketball players Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, and hip hop artist LiAngelo Ball.

Others born on this day/year

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.

1997: Marriage to Tina Slatinsky

In 1997, LaVar Ball married Tina Slatinsky, whom he met at Cal State Los Angeles.

July 2015: National Headlines with Sons

In July 2015, LaVar Ball and his sons received national sports attention after Gary Parrish of CBS Sports wrote a feature story about the Ball family.

March 2016: Confident Personality Displayed

In March 2016, LaVar Ball first began displaying his confident personality to the public in an interview with MaxPreps, describing his son Lonzo as "Magic (Johnson) with a jumper."

August 2016: SLAM Magazine Feature

In August 2016, the Ball family's popularity grew after SLAM magazine featured them in an article.

November 2016: UCLA Championship Prediction

In November 2016, LaVar Ball predicted that UCLA would win the NCAA championship.

November 26, 2016: Guarantee of UCLA Winning NCAA Tournament

On November 26, 2016, LaVar Ball guaranteed in a TV interview that UCLA, led by his son Lonzo, would win the 2017 NCAA Division I Tournament.

2016: Kobe Bryant's Career Ending Injury

In 2016, Kobe Bryant's career ended due to an injury

July 2017: Facebook Announces Reality Show

In early July 2017, it was reported that Facebook would release a reality television show featuring the Ball family.

October 3, 2017: USA Today Article Calls Ball 'Worst Sports Parent Ever'

On October 3, 2017, Nancy Armour of USA Today published an article labeling LaVar Ball as the 'worst sports parent ever' after Ball removed his son LaMelo from Chino Hills High School to train him personally.

November 7, 2017: LiAngelo Ball's Arrest in China

On November 7, 2017, LaVar Ball's son LiAngelo and his UCLA teammates were arrested in Hangzhou, China for shoplifting sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store. The charges were dropped on November 7, 2017.

2017: Prediction of Sons' NBA Draft Prospects

In 2017, LaVar Ball predicted that all three of his sons would be one-and-done prospects for the NBA draft by playing only one year of college basketball.

2017: LiAngelo briefly attends UCLA

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

February 15, 2018: LaVar Wins Lip Sync Battle Against Lonzo

On February 15, 2018, LaVar Ball won against his son Lonzo in a Lip Sync Battle episode.

February 25, 2019: Trump Reaffirms Stance on LiAngelo Situation

On February 25, 2019, President Trump reaffirmed his stance on the LiAngelo situation during discussions about the U.S.A.'s relationship with China, stating that he conversed with Xi Jinping about the college students.

2020: Rejection of Trump and Election Loss

In 2020, LaVar Ball stated he wouldn't vote for Trump in the Presidential elections and suggested Trump lost the election due to their feud.

February 19, 2025: LaVar Ball Undergoes Foot Amputation

On February 19, 2025, it was revealed that LaVar Ball had his right foot amputated due to a serious medical issue, later confirmed to be a foot infection triggered by diabetes. He was reported to be doing well following the procedure.