LaMelo Ball will return to high school basketball and will reportedly enroll at Spire Institute in Ohio after he professionally played in Lithuania.
According to ESPN, Ball said in an interview that he is excited to return to school and rejoin the class on the court for his senior year. He shared that to play in international competition has been a great experience. "I learned and matured so much. I appreciated the JBA experience my dad provided for me. I think it helped my development. I cannot wait to play with my peers," Ball explained.
The associate academy director of Spire named Justin Brantley revealed to ESPN that head coach Jermaine Jackson was able to train Brandon Ingram. Ingram was reportedly someone who played with Lonzo Ball on the Lakers during the past few summers. He said as well this relationship managed to help bring both sides together.
Brantley shared how his understanding was LaMelo only looking to relive the high school experience. He described that the prominent basketball player has looked to really focus on his game, along with his education, and of course, eventually graduate. "It's more so of a feeling-out process to make sure it was the right fit all the way around, make sure we can help him, and make sure we can provide him what he needs socially," the director added.
After all, the furthest thing on his mind is Basketball, considering the decision he made and he is able to develop somewhere else. These are the entire components Spire can provide.
During the class of 2019, Ball was ranked as a five-star prospect. However, he withdrew from Chino Hills High School (California) last October and signed with BC Vytautas in Lithuania along with his brother, LiAngelo. After this, they returned to the United States this past summer and joined the Junior Basketball Association. It was reportedly a league conducted by their father, LaVar.
Therefore, LaMelo Ball is set to play for the high school team of Spire while also having a prep team. Ball will play alongside Michigan State commit Rocket Watts and five-star junior Isaiah Jackson.
"He is a scorer, he is a player, and he is a facilitator. I have watched games and seen him rebound. I have watched games where he gets players involved around him. I've watched games and seen him score," says Brantley.
