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UCLA basketball: Is LaMelo Ball worth it for Steve Alford?

By Tristan Freeman

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins looks on in the game against the Morehead State Eagles at Pauley Pavilion on November 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins looks on in the game against the Morehead State Eagles at Pauley Pavilion on November 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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The one year with Lonzo Ball was a big success for Steve Alford and UCLA. With another point guard in the family soon coming, will it be smooth sailing as well?

Each of LaVar Ball’s three sons have their own storylines for the coming respective seasons. Lonzo is leading the Lakers with Magic Johnson in charge, LiAngelo is starting his first season with UCLA, and now LaMelo is a high school dropout.

His father LaVar has pulled his son out of Chino Hills due to an ongoing dispute with the school and the coaches. LaMelo will be getting homeschooling and training with his father for the next two years.

It’s not as disastrous a decision as you might expect. Considering how at times on the court it’s just one on five basketball, he won’t be missing out on any true development. Besides, he’s already a top ten recruit by ESPN and no lower than 30 on other recruiting outlets. There’s no denying his scoring ability and if he goes to UCLA that he’ll be an asset.

The if comes because now his eligibility is in question with him having his own signature shoe collection. The NCAA just declared two athletes ineligible because of YouTube accounts, so how will it affect the kid’s chances to play for the Bruins?

But let’s say he can play at UCLA. How does it work? While Lonzo was a pass-first point guard who makes his teammates better, his little brother is a shooting guard with the ball all the time.

He also exemplified the criticisms of AAU basketball with his style of play. While there are plenty of highlights of him scoring, there’s little evidence that he plays any kind of defense. It was that lack of team defense that doomed the Bruins and his future arrival will not help matters.

Besides the defensive issues, how he would deal with future teammates is also a concern. Instead of playing with guys with no basketball future, he’ll be surrounded by five-star players who are alpha dogs in their own rights. Alford will have to deal with the egos of everyone involved, including the notorious father.

With Aaron Holiday graduating after next year and Prince Ali the only expected guard on the roster, a point guard will be needed. By no means am I saying that Alford should not accept LaMelo’s services, but getting at least another point guard or two is very important, especially if the NCAA takes him out.

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While the kid is clearly talented, he doesn’t have the necessary tools and mentality to take the Bruins deep in the tournament. And, as of yet, it remains to be seen how other top 2019 players feel about playing with LaMelo. But if he ultimately doesn’t play at UCLA, Alford might not shed too many tears after all.

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