Lonzo Ball entered UCLA with sky-high expectations. He captained arguably the greatest high school basketball team of all-time as a senior at Chino Hills, running through an undefeated season alongside his two younger brothers with a bevy of outlet passes and deep threes. It was fair to wonder if Ball would be able to adjust to a more traditional style of play in college, but so far it’s happening. The Bruins are off to a 5-0 start and Ball is putting up huge numbers.
UCLA looked great again on Thursday night against Portland during a 99-77 win. It had Ball’s father LaVar feeling some type of way while talking to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman:
Lonzo Ball’s dad just guaranteed on national television @UCLAMBB will win the NCAA championship #WoodenLegacypic.twitter.com/v0ETeCU36U
— Miguel Melendez (@MelendezTMZ) November 25, 2016
You heard it from LaVar Ball first: UCLA is winning the national title.
All Lonzo did against Portland was finish with 18 points, 11 assists, and four rebounds on 6-of-9 shooting from the field and 4-of-7 shooting from three. Watch the full highlights right here:
Ball is already drawing Jason Kidd 2.0 comparisons and rejuvenating a UCLA program that failed to generate much excitement under Steve Alford. Is a national title next? If his dad says so.
