LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball have ended their stint in Lithuania because both of the brothers are hurt and there are only two games left in the season, sources close to the Ball family told ESPN’s Chris Haynes.
The early exit had the approval of the team, BC Vytautas, the sources told Haynes.
But Vytautas head coach Virginijus Seskus said he was shocked at the siblings’ departure.
“It’s just another proof they came here to make a show, not for basketball. It’s sad they didn’t understand what we gave them. We understand how they helped us, but they don’t,” Seskus told Lithuanian outlet 15min.let.
LaVar Ball, the brothers’ father, told 15min.let that LaMelo would not return to the team next season.
“You really ask me this? Coach ruined everything, and he’ll have to pay the price that Melo is not coming back,” he said.
Oldest brother Lonzo Ball, who just finished his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, was in Lithuania to visit his siblings, and now the three will join their father and return to California.
LiAngelo Ball has been sidelined recently with an ankle injury, and the early departure will give him time to prepare for the NBA draft. He is expected to work out for some teams and will participate at the Professional Basketball Combine in May at IMG Academy in Florida.
In their time with BC Vytautas, LiAngelo averaged 12.6 points and 22 minutes per game, and LaMelo averaged 6.5 points and 12 minutes.
LiAngelo started the season with UCLA but was embroiled in a shoplifting scandal in China while on a preseason trip with the Bruins. Upon his return to the United States, he was suspended indefinitely by UCLA, and he left the program without having played a game.
Lithuanian basketball journalist Donatas Urbonas was the first to report the Ball brothers’ exit from the team.
Source : ESPN
