Lonzo Ball Makes Bold Statement, Prefers To Play For Lakers Than Go No. 1
There is no denying the fact that UCLA freshman point guard Lonzo Ball is going to be one of the top prospects in the upcoming 2017 NBA draft. That is what most people know; what isn't known is on what team he will land.
Lonzo Ball is considered to be one of the top point guard prospects in a point guard-loaded draft and has a resume that features several impressive accomplishments such as leading the country in assists, carrying UCLA to a 31-5 record, and possessing an amazing court vision that not many other prospects can claim. According to CBS Sports, Ball could go anywhere from the No. 1 to 5 pick.
However, given the option on where he would like to go in the draft order, Lonzo Ball boldly stated that he would rather fall to the Los Angeles Lakers in the draft than being taken as the No. 1 overall pick. When he was asked that very same question on SportsNation, this was his response:
According to Lonzo Ball, "I'm going to the Lakers. All my family is from L.A., so to be able to play in front of them and in my hometown, I think that would mean more to me than anything else."
A product of Chino Hills, Lonzo Ball, much like any other upcoming rookie, would naturally rather play close to home than anywhere else. However, most high-level prospects dream of being taken as the No. 1 overall pick.
Most Basketball analysts think that it's quite unnatural and weird for Lonzo Ball to say he'd rather fall in the draft. According to Real GM, Ball would likely miss out on not only some endorsements that would go with being the top Draft pick, but also the overall advantage of owning bragging rights of being the top pick.
However, at the end of the day, Lonzo Ball won't get to call his own shot. If the Boston Celtics or the Phoenix Suns fall in love with him choose him before he falls to the Lakers at No. 3, he won't have any other choice.
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