Advertisement

Lonzo Ball unveils signature shoe, slippers

By Alex Butler
UCLA freshman Lonzo Ball is expected to be a top-3 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Photo courtesy of UCLA Men's Basketball/Instagram
UCLA freshman Lonzo Ball is expected to be a top-3 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Photo courtesy of UCLA Men's Basketball/Instagram

May 4 (UPI) -- The Big Baller Brand took another step Thursday, introducing Lonzo Ball's first signature shoe.

Ball announced he was leaving UCLA following a terrific freshman season. He is expected to be a lottery pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The draft is set for June 22.

Advertisement

The 19-year-old All-American averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 assists, and six rebounds per game in 36 games for the Bruins. His college career ended in March after an 86-75 loss to Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen.

Lonzo's signature shoes have a black outer covering and gold interior. The Big Baller Brand logo is prominently displayed near the heel of each shoe. The back of the shoe features the letter Z and letter O intersecting in a nod to his nickname "Zo."

The ZO2 Prime's are available for $495. Autographed versions of the shoes are available for $995.

Advertisement

An industry source told The Vertical this week that the company was targeting a $200 tier for its first shoe.

According to its website, "Big Baller Brand is a Lifestyle Apparel company founded on core family values, and inspired by the 3 Ball brothers from Chino Hills, California."

"Our company goal and purpose is to deliver the same qualities into the brand," the company's website says. "We are dedicated to produce the highest quality products to build brand loyalty. Our mission is to provide a clothing line that is a reflection of what every Big Baller in the world expresses through what they wear."

Big Baller Brand also features $50 shirts and hats.

Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo Ball make up the hooping trio. Their father, LaVar Ball owns the apparel company. He told ESPN in April that Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour were not interested in signing Lonzo to a shoe deal.

It is unusual for the mega sports apparel brands to shy away from a consensus lottery pick so far ahead of the NBA Draft. But part of the reason for it rests in LaVar's insistence that they license the Big Baller Brand.

Advertisement

"We've said from the beginning, we aren't looking for an endorsement deal," LaVar told ESPN. "We're looking for co-branding, a true partner. But they're not ready for that because they're not used to that model. But hey, the taxi industry wasn't ready for Uber, either."

LaVar has made quite the name for himself, sounding off in sports media about his ability to beat Michael Jordan in one-on-one and saying his son was better than Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.

On April 20, Nike consultant George Raveling called LaVar "the worst thing to happen to basketball in the last hundred years." He made the comments at SportsBusiness Journal's World Congress of Sports.

In March, LaVar told USA Today that he would package his three talented sons in a marketing deal with Nike, Adidas, or Under Armour for a "billion dollars."

Advertisement

"A billion dollars, it has to be there," Ball said. "That's our number, a billion, straight out of the gate. And you don't even have to give it to me all up front. Give us $100 mil over 10 years."

Lonzo is represented by Harrison Gaines and the recently founded Ball Sports Group. LaVar is also the founder of that agency, according to Yahoo Sports.

The ZO2 Prime's are available for pre-order for a limited time. Shipping is expected by Nov. 24.

LiAngelo Ball will play at UCLA next season. LaMelo, who scored 92 points during a high school game in February, is also committed to the Bruins.

LaVar Ball averaged just 2.2 points per game in his only year of college ball at Washington State.

Latest Headlines