LaVar and LaMelo Ball cause bedlam in Hong Kong as LiAngelo touches down in LA after China lets him go
The eccentric basketball family bring their Big Baller Brand to Tsim Sha Tsui as hundreds line up to hand over their cash – but questions about LiAngelo’s detainment in China are ignored
Hundreds of young basketball fans waited outside the Big Baller Brand pop-up shop in Nathan Road for hours on Tuesday night, hoping to get an autograph and a picture with LaVar Ball – father of Los Angeles Lakers star Lonzo – and his teenage son LaMelo.
But so did a group of reporters – who weren’t there to buy a pair of HK$4,000 trainers or garish hats, hoodies and T-shirts.
LaVar eventually turned up 20 minutes late, flanked by his burly security guards and choosing not to respond to questions about his other son, LiAngelo ball – the UCLA basketball star who was detained on suspicion of shoplifting with two teammates in Hangzhou last week.
“What do you think about Donald Trump helping with LiAngelo?” one reporter asked Big Baller Brand manager and Lavar associate Alan Foster, who was clutching a stack of apparel to sell at the front of the baying throng outside the store.
“What do you think about yo momma?” came his quick-witted response.
The Big Baller Brand was circling the wagons, amid fears LiAngelo could miss the start of UCLA’s season.