Nearly 50 top high school prospects have turned down LaVar Ball's new league | Zagsblog
Recent Posts
About ZagsBlog
Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Follow Zags on Twitter
Couldn't connect with Twitter
Contact Zags
Connect with Zags:
Friday / March 29.
  • Nearly 50 top high school prospects have turned down LaVar Ball’s new league

    Share Zagsblog Share Zagsblog
    Nearly 50 top high school prospects in the Class of 2018 have said thanks but no thanks to LaVar Ball’s Junior Basketball Association.

    Joseph Tipton of Tipton’s Edits reached out to numerous top prospects and they all said no thanks. That group includes Tyler Herro and Keldon Johnson (Kentucky), Bol Bol and Miles Norris (Oregon), Darius Bazley and Jalen Carey (Syracuse), Eric Ayala (Maryland), Noah Locke (Florida), Emmitt Williams and Javante Smart (LSU), Quentin Grimes, Devon Dotson and David McCormack (Kansas), J’Raan Brooks (St. John’s), Simi Shittu (Vanderbilt), David Duke (Providence) and uncommitted players Romeo Langford and Anfernee Simons.

    Several prospects remain interested but wished to remain anonymous because they’re committed, Tipton said.

    Ball announced the launch of the league in December. The Junior Basketball Association will pay players  “up to $10,000 per month,” according to a  release from Big Baller Brand, which of course will sponsor the league. The lowest-ranked player will receive $3,000 a month, ESPN reported.

    The league has no venues rented and ticket prices have not been set, ESPN reported.

    All nationally ranked high school seniors, whose main goal are to reach the NBA, will be offered an opportunity to join the JBA, turning pro straight out of high school and bypassing the usual college pit stop,” according to a release.

    LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball, who recently signed with Prienai Birstonas Vytautas in Lithuania, won’t play in the new league.

    Photo: TMZ

    Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

    And like ZAGS on Facebook

    Written by

    [email protected]

    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

  • } });
    X