Very few players have as much hype and controversy coming out of college as the New Orleans Pelicans’ Lonzo Ball. His outspoken and sometimes misguided father, signature Big Baller Brand shoe company and reality TV show ensured Ball and his family were constantly in the headlines. Add that he was drafted second by the Los Angeles Lakers and ended up playing with LeBron James, and you have a recipe for a tabloid bonanza.
All of this attention took its toll and Ball struggled in his second season after a strong rookie campaign.