Lonzo Ball played one season with the UCLA Bruins in the 2016-17 season. It was a great season for him that included many accolades and a sweet 16 run for UCLA. Although it was seen as a disappointment as UCLA had title hopes. Ball turned that season into being the number two pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
UCLA Lonzo Ball was a special talent
Lonzo averaged 15/5/7 on a 67% TS as a freshman and went #2 overall in the NBA Draft.
Lonzo had everything you wanted from a PG, he was 6’6, a great athlete, could score from all 3 levels, and was a high level playmaker and defender. pic.twitter.com/7NZP3qRiFt
— KJ (@KJScouting) July 23, 2024
Ball was bound to leave after one season. Similar to Jrue Holiday and Zach LaVine. College was seen as a one-year bridge gap to get to the NBA. If there wasn’t the one and done rule, he would’ve been straight to the league out of Chino Hills. He was that good and was ready to go, with few players possessing the vision and passing abilities that he had.
Chino Hills Lonzo Ball will forever be a high school #Legend @ZO2_ pic.twitter.com/EJCbg88ExI
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 9, 2020
Once he got to Los Angeles, he was consistently included in trade rumors as the Lakers looked to get another star to pair with LeBron James. Once Anthony Davis became available that became a reality as Ball was shipped to New Orleans. With Davis becoming a Laker and forming one of the top duos in the league which led to a 2020 NBA Championship in the bubble.
Ball would have two seasons with the Pelicans that catapulted him into signing with the Chicago Bulls. Ultimately it was a sign and trade as the Bulls retooled their roster with newly hired head coach Billy Donovan. The Bulls sped out of the gate and were in contention for the one seed until injuries started to hit the team. Ball over the next two years would have many procedures and work done on his knee keeping him out, including a meniscus transplant.
ESPN Sources: There is a growing possibility that Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will need a third surgical procedure on his right knee that would likely require another six months of recovery and rehabilitation. pic.twitter.com/pnToNKynhb
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 9, 2023
Many believed that his career was over. But Ball defied the odds and made it back last year. He struggled with his shot, but his vision was still crystal clear as a point guard and provided tough defense. He is still a very smart facilitator and will need to rely on that while he continues to build his career back up after almost coming to an end. This offseason he was traded to the Cavaliers and is coming off the bench for the team to help provide stability as a backup facilitator.
Ball is one of the highest recruits the Bruins have ever got. He had a electric All-American season in his one season in Westwood. We look forward to seeing him try and continue to get back to his pre injury self. Another Bruin succeeding in the NBA, shows the rich tradition that the school provides to its athletes.
