LaMelo Ball will take the road less traveled to college ball.
LaMelo will be home schooled for the next two years, his father LaVar told Los Angeles Times high school reporter Eric Sondheimer on Monday. LaMelo will be trained exclusively by his father as he prepares for an eventual pro career.
LaMelo is a junior at Chino Hills High School in Southern California and has committed to play basketball at UCLA. He is a highly regarded recruit, much like his oldest brother Lonzo.
According to Sondheimer, LaVar was already having concerns about Chino Hills’ new basketball coach, Dennis Lattmore, which was a factor in the decision.
“It’s good for Melo,” LaVar said. “Less distractions. He just needs to focus.”
LaVar plans to pull LaMelo out of school on Tuesday.
This outcome might not be too surprising. LaVar has threatened to have LaMelo skip college ball entirely and go play internationally before being draft-eligible. LaMelo is also the first high schooler with a signature shoe, which could impact his college eligibility.
The 16-year-old will still play travel ball.
All three of Ball’s sons have played basketball at Chino Hills, though the two older ones — Lonzo and LiAngelo — both completed high school before heading to UCLA. Lonzo played one season before declaring for the draft. He was taken No. 2 overall by the Lakers. LiAngelo is considered the least skilled of the three, but LaVar has said he intends to have LiAngelo be a one-and-done player as well.
LaMelo received national recognition after scoring 92 points in a game as a sophomore.
