NBA stars' outspoken dad has foot amputated due to serious ...

LaVar Ball, the father of NBA stars LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, underwent surgery to have his right foot amputated due to a serious medical issue, according to reports.

Ball, 57, is said to be in “great spirits and doing well,” according to TMZ, which first reported the news. The Ball family has not made commented on the matter, and no additional details pertaining to Ball’s health were disclosed.

Ball rose to fame as the outspoken, controversial father of Lonzo, a former collegiate star at UCLA who was drafted second overall by the Lakers in the 2016 NBA Draft. That same year, he co-founded the Big Baller Brand line of basketball shoes, which he and his sons promoted. His youngest son, LaMelo, was drafted third overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020 NBA Draft and was named the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year. He was also named an All-Star during the 2021-22 season.

LaVar’s second-oldest son, LiAngelo, had brief stints in the NBA’s G-League from 2021-23, but last month signed a $13 million deal with Def Jam Records and Universal Music Group. He also performed his hit song, “Tweaker,” at NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco last weekend.

LaVar played college basketball at Washington State and Cal State Los Angeles, and one season of football at Long Beach City College. He went on to make the practice squad for the NFL’s New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, but never appeared in a regular season game.