Lonzo Ball: A Case Study in Sports Prodigies

A sports prodigy is an athlete who was bred to be a superstar. From the time they were born to the time they make it to whatever respective league, sports prodigies are often heralded as the next Big Thing.

This series is going to chronicle some of the most recent sports prodigies. Their rise, downfall, and even some of their redemption arcs.

The profile of a sports prodigy usually starts with their parents. Parents play a pivotal role in the development or undevelopment of a human being. Sometimes, it’s the media hyping up a young athlete and setting expectations they can never meet.

See: Bryce Harper.

Now I would argue it’s not the fault of the athlete themselves, but rather, external forces beyond their control. Lonzo Ball didn’t ask to be born to LaVar. And this isn’t a critique to the latter’s parenting because, as a bachelor, I have no right to critique a parent.

But LaVar’s antics in sports media haven’t been…favorable to Lonzo’s development as a player. In fact I would argue its even been a hindrance.

LaVar Ball’s Tale Of Unfulfilled Destiny

Did you know LaVar Ball was a New York Jet?

No I’m serious. It explains a lot but that’s beside the point; before raising his sons Lonzo, LaMelo and Liangelo, LaVar (jeez that’s a lot of Ls) was a practice squad tight end for both the Jets and Carolina Panthers.

Ball was a raw, yet athletic prospect for both teams. However, the first glimpses of his mouth-running were made evident. Former Jets teammate and quarterback Boomer Esiason said Ball “was cocky” and never shy on voicing his opinion.

Huh.

Of course Ball never made it in the NFL and instead turned his dreams into a parental reality. Lonzo, LaMelo and Liangelo were touted for greatness–manufactured greatness, that is.

Los Angeles is a hooper’s paradise. Not only do they chase the ghosts of Kareem, Magic, Kobe and LeBron, but the metropolis offers something other cities can’t quite afford to give.

Exposure.

LaVar’s sports parenting began when he had his boys running basketball drills since the age of two. The idea of toddlers swapping blankies and pacifiers for finger roll layups and combo dribbling is a funny thought.

However, it proved effective. The Ball family’s first taste of success came when all three boys helped Chino Hills High go undefeated in 2015-16. That put a spotlight on the Balls and LaVar used it to bring widespread attention to his sons.

2017: Year Of The Hype Train

Coming out of 2016 a McDonald’s All-American, Lonzo Ball quickly became talk of the town. His play style seemed so mature for his age as showcased in the above video.

Ball was a gifted defender with a 6’9 wingspan and an offensive game that needed polishing, but with polish, greatness was expected from him.

It was also expected from the media thanks to LaVar’s fuel addition to a growing spark.

Before the firestorm in 2017, January started with an interview with TMZ, where LaVar allegedly told his sons “Somebody’s got to be greater than Jordan–why not you?”

I love this comment. As a son, nothing warms your heart than your father believing and expressing his belief that you could be the next–

Oh my God.

Lonzo is going to be better than Stephen Curry. Lonzo is going to be the first one drafted with his own brand. A Twitter war with Charles Barkley.

And the big cherry on top of this sundae?

LaVar thinks he can go 1-on-1 with Michael Jordan. And beat him.

Lonzo went on record saying that, while his dad does all the talking, he’s focused on his on-court performance. Which is fine.

When your father is actively stoking the flames of hype with the likes of ESPN, USA Today and TMZ? You got another problem.

Notice how LaVar’s comments went from praising Lonzo to praising himself, dangerously treading the waters of “I’m supposed to be in my son’s shoes” seas.

Lonzo Ball’s Transition To The NBA

LaVar’s hype and Lonzo’s prowess meant the Los Angeles Lakers were destined to take him with their #1 overall pick, over the likes of Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell and Josh Hart.

Now none of us could estimate the staying power those three would have. In Ball’s first season in the Association, he put up 10 points, 7 assists and rebounds, and averaged a steal per game.

Not bad. But Ball didn’t even get a single Rookie Of The Year vote, and hooping professionally exposed serious flaws in his game.

For starters, Ball was an awful free throw shooter at 47%, a trend that would slowly improve as time went on. His percentage from downtown was also 30%–not good, not bad for a rookie, but when your dad is telling media pundits you’re going to be better than the best shooter of all time?

Not a good look.

Ultimately Ball would hit his stride after the Lakers shipped him to New Orleans. His stats improved overall but the thing nagging him the most was injuries.

Since coming into the league, Ball has yet to start a full 82-game season. Which is difficult in itself and becoming more rare as time passes, but it’s kept him from fully developing into this prototype point guard his dad hyped him up to be.

We’ve seen promising athletes get bit consistently–or hard– by the injury bug. Bo Jackson, Ki-Jana Carter, Derrick Rose, Greg Odom just to name a few. It’s almost unfair. In fact, it is.

From a nagging shoulder injury in his rookie season to a consistent ankle problem, Ball has seen his fair share of time spent on the bench. Most recently, he missed all of 2022 and 2023 due to three surgeries on his left knee–including a cartilage transplant.

I can’t help but ask a question. Could Ball’s injury woes be traced back to his father’s training regimen?

Currently, he’s holding a bench spot in Cleveland, averaging four points and four assists on a Cavaliers team trying to make it to the Finals.

End Of My Lonzo Ball Rant

Ball’s a mercurial case in the study of sports prodigies. On one hand, he was bred for immediate success and touted to be the next NBA superstar. On the other, Ball could never live up to the expectations set for him.

That’s not his fault, and neither are the injuries. If Ball had been a regular athlete from Chino Hills, I don’t think he would’ve been the #2 selection in the 2017 NBA Draft, but a late lottery pick nonetheless.

His brother LaMelo had similar, albeit less publicized expectations and has done well for himself in Charlotte. Yet even he can’t escape the injury bug and, like his brother, has yet to play in a full 82-game season.

The clock’s ticking on Ball’s career. And with his injury history, it’s closer to midnight than it’s ever been before.