UCLA G Lonzo Ball "won't face NCAA sanctions for his connection to a family apparel website that was using Ball’s image," according to Josh Peter of USA TODAY. LaVar Ball, Lonzo's father, said that UCLA asked the family to "remove Lonzo's photo" from the Big Baller Brand website. USC SID Tim Tessalone "confirmed that USC called UCLA" to inform them of the issue. But UCLA said that the school already was "aware of the matter 'and working on it.'" Lonzo Ball's image "no longer is on the site," and his eligibility for the NCAA Tournament, which begins this week, is "not at risk." The Ball family prior to Lonzo enrolling at UCLA "launched the Big Ballers Brand to capitalize on the success" of Lonzo and his two younger brothers. The website sells T-shirts for as much as $60, hoodies for as much as $70 and hats for as much as $80 (USATODAY.com, 3/11).
THE SON ALSO RISES: The Ball family was profiled on ESPN over the weekend, and LaVar Ball said of the family's Big Baller Brand, "This is what me and my wife came up on with me and my boys together.” He said of his son, "Nobody has ever had -- being a first-round pick -- their own brand coming out. That’s going to Lonzo, that’s some history changing stuff right there” ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/11).
