Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball paid dad LaVar a special visit before their game against the Lakers on Wednesday night following his recent foot amputation.
TMZ revealed this week that LaVar, father to LaMelo and two other basketball players in Lonzo and LiAngelo, was forced to have his right foot amputated after suffering a ‘serious medical issue’.
While the details of his condition have not been revealed, the 57-year-old is said to be in ‘great spirits’ despite the ordeal.
And before his youngest son put up 27 points in a stunning win over the Lakers, LaVar was all smiles as he posed for a photo with LaMelo, 23, which appeared to be taken outside their family home in Chino Hills, California.
The Hornets point guard shared the picture, which shows his dad standing with help from a knee scooter, on his Instagram story Thursday.
He also wrote alongside it: ‘seen my dawg b4 da game it was only right i love u pops 5L and after’.
Hornets star LaMelo Ball (right) paid dad LaVar a special visit after his recent foot amputation
LaVar, father of basketball stars Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo, recently had his foot amputated
LaMelo’s post online was the first time one of LaVar’s sons has publicly addressed his recent op, though he did not comment on it after Wednesday’s win over LA.
As well as scoring 27 points, he also added five rebounds and six assists to help the Hornets see off LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Co in a 100-97 win at Crypto.com Arena.
LaVar has made a name for himself over the past decade by thrusting his three sons into the spotlight.
The infamous basketball dad and controversial businessman developed the ‘Big Baller Brand,’ which has created signature shoes for the trio of basketball players.
He has stirred controversy over the years with his various headline-grabbing claims about his sons, including when he predicted that all three of his sons would play on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lonzo, 27, now plays guard for the Chicago Bulls after previous spells with the Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans.
‘It’ll be the worst move the Lakers ever did in their life and they’ll never win another championship, guarantee it,’ LaVar told ESPN in 2019 after Lonzo’s trade from the Lakers to the Pelicans was announced.
‘They’re going to regret it. I’m going to have fun with it.’
LaMelo inspired the Hornets to a 100-97 win over the Lakers after visiting his dad Wednesday
LaVar is famed for his ambitious plans for his sons (Pictured L-R: LaMelo, LiAngelo and Lonzo)
Lonzo plays for the Chicago Bulls, having also spent time with the Lakers and the Pelicans
Meanwhile, LaMelo has spent five seasons with the Hornets after being drafted with the third overall pick in 2020, going on to claim Rookie of the Year honors.
LiAngelo, 26, appears content to stay away from the court, instead choosing to pursue his music career.
Off the back of his viral hit ‘Tweaker,’ LiAngelo inked a deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group for a guaranteed $8million – with the deal potentially rising to $13million – in January.
Additionally, LiAngelo will have his own label – Born2Ball Music Group – and own all of his music.
LaVar enjoyed a fleeting sports career of his own. He played tight end at Cal State-Los Angeles and spent time with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers organizations.
The Ball family patriarch has sparked backlash for far more than his ambitions for his sons. In 2019, he landed himself in hot water at ESPN.
LiAngelo appears content to stay away from the court and instead pursue his music career
He found himself banned from the network after he made an inappropriate and suggestive remark to First Take anchor Molly Qerim.
During his appearance on the show LaVar had veered off topic, prompting the female host to say, ‘LaVar, can I switch gears with you because I have a question here.’
LaVar quickly responded, ‘You can switch gears with me anytime,’ while appearing to mime the act of shifting a manual transmission.
In 2017, he told a female anchor on Fox Sports to ‘stay in your lane.’
