In their first REAL pro game in the top division of the Lithuanian basketball league, LiAngelo & LaMelo Ball’s Prienu Vytautas was beaten 95-86 by BC Lietkabelis; last year’s league championship runner-up.
Against what was a steep jump in talent from the teenage-laden Zalgiris reserve team they beat Tuesday in the BIG BALLER CHALLENGE; the Ball brothers were held scoreless in Saturday’s loss. They also played fewer minutes because the team was feverishly trying to come back & chose to roll with veteran players:
Via, Bleacher Report:
LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball combined for 0 POINTS in their pro debut in Lithuanian top division @betsafeLKL ???????? in @bcvytautas loss to @BCLietkabelis 95-86.@LiAngeloBall:
0 points
FG: 0/3
3PT: 0/2
9:28 minutes@MELOD1P:
0 points
FG: 0/4
3PT: 0/3
5:16 minutes— Sportando (@Sportando) January 13, 2018
The loss drops Vytautas to an overall record of 4-15 while going 1-1 with the Ball boys playing. But, as we know, the season is less about wins/losses & more about eyes on the Ball brothers & LaVar.
Even though the team lost, LaVar still wins.
He was the halftime entertainment (which will likely be an every-game occurrence in some form), & with the team down 13 points, he took the court to pretty loud applause in what looks to be a packed house:
LaVar Ball was invited to try a half court shot during Melo and Gelo debut game in LKL. LaVar missed three shots but enjoyed it, just like the crowd! pic.twitter.com/Gl5uZPGXZ4
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) January 13, 2018
LiAngelo, LaMelo & Vytautas will look to have a better outing Monday when they face Lietuvos Rytas, another reserve squad, as part of the Big Baller Challenge.
