Dillon Brooks has never been the quiet type, and his latest jab landed on LaMelo Ball during one of his recent livestream appearances with influencer “N3ON.”
The Phoenix Suns forward was discussing Ball’s path after high school and took a shot at the decision to go overseas instead of staying in the USA. Brooks zeroed in on Ball’s route out of Chino Hills, calling attention to the fact that he did not play college basketball after high school.
Ball’s career path has been one of the more unusual ones from that era of the Ball family’s rise. Lonzo became a major name at UCLA before going second overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.
LiAngelo never reached the same level, though he did gain some recognition overseas. LaMelo also spent time playing in Lithuania and Australia before eventually making it to the NBA.
That path still worked out in the biggest way. Ball went third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, became a centerpiece for the Charlotte Hornets, and later earned an All-Star nod in 2022.
Brooks, though, made it clear he was not impressed with Ball’s choice of route.
"He couldn't survive here; he's a pretty light-skinned kid from Cali," Brooks said about Ball electing to play overseas rather than go to college.
For Brooks, that kind of line fits the brand. He has built a reputation for jawing at opponents and leaning into the chaos, whether he is in an arena or popping up on a livestream.
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