You've seen him. You've heard him. Usually at a high decibel level. Whether he’s claiming he could take Michael Jordan one-on-one or insisting his sons are the best to ever lace them up, LaVar Ball is a human headline. But beneath the Big Baller Brand hoodies and the reality TV cameras, a genuine question often gets buried in the noise: did LaVar Ball play basketball for real?
He didn't just spawn into existence in 2017 to annoy NBA scouts.
Honestly, the answer is a bit more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no." While he is the architect behind Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo, his own athletic resume is a strange, winding road that actually spent more time on the grass than the hardwood.
The Washington State Reality Check
LaVar Ball was a big, physical specimen. Standing 6’6” and weighing in the neighborhood of 250 pounds during his prime, he had the frame of a modern-day NBA power forward. He started his college journey at West Los Angeles College. He was actually quite a beast there. He set a school record by grabbing 316 rebounds in a single season (1985). That's a lot of boards.
But then came the jump to Division I.
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When people ask did LaVar Ball play basketball at a high level, they’re usually looking at his 1987-88 season with the Washington State Cougars. This is where the "Michael Jordan" claims start to feel a little... stretchy.
At Washington State, Ball played under Kelvin Sampson. If you know anything about Sampson, you know he’s a "defense-first, grind-it-out" kind of coach. LaVar, who was used to a run-and-gun style in Los Angeles, didn't exactly thrive in that system.
The stats don't lie. Over 26 games, LaVar averaged:
- 2.2 points per game
- 2.3 rebounds per game
- 1.0 assist per game
- 40.4% shooting from the field
He wasn't the star. He wasn't even the "third option." He was a role player who struggled to find his rhythm in a slow-paced offense. He later claimed in interviews that the coach wanted the ball passed "8 to 10 times" before a shot, which basically killed his game. He wanted to dunk; the coach wanted a swing-swing-swing-entry-pass sequence.
The Transfer and the Professional Pivot
After the WSU experiment fizzled out, LaVar transferred to Cal State Los Angeles (a Division II school). It was here that he met Tina, his future wife, who was also a standout basketball player. While he played out his eligibility there, the NBA wasn't exactly banging down his door.
So, what does a 250-pound athlete do when the hoops dream hits a ceiling? He puts on a helmet.
It’s often forgotten, but LaVar Ball was actually more of a professional "football player" than a basketball player. After college, he managed to land on the practice squads for the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers as a tight end.
He even went overseas to play in the World League of American Football (WLAF) for the London Monarchs.
Check out these stats from his 1995 season in London:
- 0 catches
- 0 touchdowns
- 28 kickoff return yards
Basically, he was a massive body used for blocking and special teams. An injury eventually ended his football aspirations, leading him back to California to become a personal trainer—and to begin the "master plan" of training his three sons to do what he couldn't: dominate the NBA.
Why the Michael Jordan Claim is Pure Entertainment
We have to talk about the MJ thing. LaVar famously told USA Today that back in his heyday, he would have "killed" Michael Jordan one-on-one.
"I would just back him in and lift him off the ground and call a foul every time he fouls me when I do a jump hook. He cannot stop me one-on-one. He better make every shot 'cause he can't go around me. He's too slender."
Let's be real for a second. Jordan is the GOAT. LaVar averaged 2 points a game in the Pac-10. The math doesn't add up. But that's the thing about LaVar—he isn't selling you on his past; he's selling you on his confidence.
He knows he wasn't an NBA-caliber player. He's even admitted that his sons are better than he ever was. But he uses his own "failed" career as a blueprint for what not to do. He didn't want his kids trapped in a restrictive system like he was at Washington State. That's why he coached them to play at a breakneck pace at Chino Hills High School.
The Junior Basketball Association (JBA)
In 2018, LaVar even tried to disrupt the entire college basketball system by founding the JBA. He wanted to give kids an alternative to the NCAA where they could get paid. While the league folded after one season, it proved one thing: LaVar Ball doesn't just talk about basketball; he tries to reshape it.
The Verdict: Did LaVar Ball Play Basketball?
Yes, he did. He played at the highest collegiate level (D1) and was a record-setter at the community college level. He had the physical tools, the height, and the strength. What he lacked was the elite skill set and the right coaching fit to make it to the league.
But looking at his sons, it’s hard to argue with the results of his "training." Lonzo was a #2 overall pick. LaMelo was a #3 overall pick and an All-Star. Even LiAngelo has spent time in the G-League and professional circuits.
LaVar Ball might not have been an NBA star, but he understood the game well enough to build three of them in his own living room.
Next Steps for Understanding the Ball Legacy:
- Watch the WSU Footage: There are brief clips of LaVar at Washington State on YouTube. Look for the #44 jersey; he was a physical defender even if the scoring wasn't there.
- Research the "Big 3" Era: To see how LaVar’s philosophy actually works, look up 2016 Chino Hills highlights. It’s the purest expression of his "let them play" mentality.
- Compare the Eras: Look at Lonzo’s shooting mechanics vs. LaVar’s old footage. You’ll see that the "unconventional" style was passed down through the DNA.
The story of LaVar Ball isn't one of a failed athlete. It's the story of a guy who realized his own limits and used that knowledge to ensure his kids didn't have any.