If you haven’t seen them in person, or even on one of their many highlights videos throughout YouTube, then the Chino Hills High School trio of Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, and LaMelo Ball–all of whom are committed to UCLA–are required weekend homework.
The Ball Brothers took the City of Palms elite high school tournament by storm last week, knocking off the top-ranked prep squad in the country (Montverde Academy) in the process of winning the tournament’s title. Yes, in the era of prep schools, it is an Inland Empire public school that now sits atop all of the major high school rankings.
Lonzo, a high school senior and ranked among the top ten prospects in the country, was the first to gain national recognition. His exploits have turned Twitter into a virtual fan club for what many are calling the best point guard to come out of California since Jason Kidd. His size, ball handling, shooting, and absurd passing ability has set him apart from his skills, and has many wondering if he might actually be the best player in the class as a whole, not just among point guards. If you need any evidence of his dominance, here’s an example:
Then it was LiAngelo, now a high school junior. Finally, Melo in the class of 2019. With Lonzo and LiAngelo already committed to head coach Steve Alford, it made sense to expect their little brother to follow suit. He did so, even before he played a game of high school basketball.
With the brothers on their way, the backcourt situation in Westwood looks to be in good hands going forward for UCLA.
