Lonzo Ball: The Rising Star In The NBA

How Much is Lonzo Ball Really Worth?

Let’s talk about Lonzo Ball, the 27-year-old NBA star who has carved out a pretty impressive career for himself. His net worth currently sits at $35 million, which is no small feat for someone who started playing basketball professionally just a few years ago. Lonzo’s journey began when he played for the UCLA Bruins in college, where he quickly became a standout player. In 2017, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing from there. He eventually moved to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, where he continued to build his reputation as a top-tier athlete. Despite some injuries early on, Lonzo earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2018, proving that he’s not just a flash in the pan.

But basketball isn’t the only thing Lonzo has going for him. Outside the court, he’s a family man, a businessman, and even a musician. Lonzo’s brothers, LiAngelo and LaMelo, are also in the NBA, making the Ball family a basketball powerhouse. Together, they’ve launched a clothing and footwear brand, and they even starred in their own reality show, "Ball in the Family." Oh, and did I mention Lonzo’s passion for music? He’s not just dribbling and shooting; he’s dropping beats too, with several albums and singles under his belt.

Lonzo’s Early Days

Growing Up Ball

Born on October 27, 1997, in Anaheim, California, Lonzo Anderson Ball grew up in a family of athletes. Both his parents were former college basketball players, so it was almost inevitable that Lonzo would follow in their footsteps. From a very young age, Lonzo and his brothers were taught the fundamentals of the game by their father, who also served as their high school coach. This early exposure to basketball helped Lonzo develop into the player he is today. By the time he hit high school, Lonzo was already making waves, earning national recognition and setting records that would pave the way for his future career.

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College Career at UCLA

Fast forward to the 2016-2017 season, and Lonzo was lighting up the court for the UCLA Bruins. During his time in college, his talent became undeniable. Not only did he lead the nation in assists, but he also helped the Bruins become one of the highest-scoring teams in the country. His performance earned him numerous honors, including the prestigious Wayman Tisdale Award, given to the top freshman in college basketball. With all these accolades under his belt, it was clear that Lonzo was destined for greatness, and he decided to enter the NBA Draft after just one season.

The Journey Through Lonzo’s Career

A Rocky Start in the NBA

Lonzo’s NBA career didn’t exactly start with a bang. His rookie year with the Los Angeles Lakers was marred by injuries, with shoulder and knee problems forcing him to miss 30 games. Despite undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, Lonzo faced another setback later that season when he suffered a Grade 3 left ankle sprain, tearing a ligament. This was his third ankle injury that year, which definitely put a damper on his early career. However, resilience is one of Lonzo’s strongest traits, and he bounced back, continuing to prove his worth on the court.

New Orleans Pelicans and Beyond

In 2019, Lonzo was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he found new opportunities to showcase his skills. By 2021, he was ready to test the waters as a free agent, signing a lucrative deal with the Chicago Bulls. This four-year, $85-million contract was a testament to his growth and development as a player. With an average annual salary of $21 million, Lonzo is now in a position to further solidify his legacy in the NBA.

Personal Life: Love and Family

Lonzo met his long-term partner, Denise Garcia, back in high school, and the couple even had a child together. However, life isn’t always a straight line, and the pair broke up in 2018. But like many stories, theirs had a twist—two years later, they reconciled, showing that sometimes love can find its way back around.

Business Ventures: Big Baller Brand

Building a Brand

Lonzo’s business ventures have been closely tied to his family’s apparel company, Big Baller Brand. Instead of signing with big-name companies like Nike or Adidas, Lonzo opted to use his family’s brand for his sports equipment. In 2017, they released their first shoe, priced at $495 and bearing Lonzo’s name. While it was a bold move, it wasn’t without its critics. Many people thought the shoe was overpriced and lacked the quality of other brands. The Lakers even expressed concerns about the shoe’s durability, suggesting it might have contributed to Lonzo’s ankle injuries.

The End of an Era

As legal issues and doubts about the brand’s future grew, Lonzo decided to step away from Big Baller Brand in 2019. He removed the brand’s logo from his tattoos and deleted all references to the company from his social media. It was a significant decision, marking the end of an era for Lonzo’s business ventures with his family.

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Reality Meets Basketball: "Ball in the Family"

In 2017, Lonzo and his family stepped into the world of reality TV with their show "Ball in the Family" on Facebook Watch. It gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at the Ball family’s life, both on and off the court. It was a chance for viewers to see the human side of Lonzo and his family, beyond just the basketball stats and headlines.

Legal Challenges

2019 wasn’t just a year of business changes for Lonzo—it was also a year of legal challenges. He and his family sued Gregory Alan Foster, a partial owner and manager of Big Baller Brand, alleging that Foster had taken $1.5 million of Lonzo’s personal money. The lawsuit sought to recover over $2 million in damages, highlighting the complexities of running a family business in the public eye.

Contracts and Salary Breakdown

In July 2017, Lonzo signed his first major deal with the Lakers—a four-year, $33-million contract, paying him an average of $8 million per year. But his earnings skyrocketed in 2021 when he signed with the Chicago Bulls. This new deal, worth four years and $85 million, bumped his average annual salary up to $21 million. It’s a clear indicator of how far Lonzo has come in just a few years.

Real Estate Empire

Lonzo’s wealth extends beyond his basketball earnings and business ventures. In 2017, he purchased a $5.2-million mansion in Chino Hills, California, just two months after the NBA draft. This 13,800-square-foot villa, sitting on 3 acres of land, included luxurious features like a theater, library, and cathedral-vaulted ceilings. It was a "fixer-upper," but it had plenty of potential. Some speculated that Lonzo bought it not just for himself but for his entire family to enjoy.

Lonzo’s real estate portfolio didn’t stop there. In 2019, after being traded to the Pelicans, he sold a commercial property in downtown Los Angeles for $4.365 million. This industrial warehouse, originally purchased by Lonzo’s LLC in 2017 for $3.5 million, served as a distribution center for the family’s clothing and footwear business. In 2022, Lonzo added another gem to his collection, paying $7.3 million for a newly-renovated mansion in Sherman Oaks, California. It’s safe to say Lonzo’s got a knack for real estate too.