LaMelo Ball Reportedly Not Expected to Be Cleared by NCAA Due to Signature Shoe

LaMelo Ball is not currently expected to be granted eligibility after graduating high school because his Big Baller Brand signature shoe violates NCAA rules on amateurism. 

"The NCAA's not going to clear (LaMelo) because he's got a shoe right now, a sneaker where he's making money off of," ESPN's Jeff Goodman said on Outside the Lines on Tuesday.

Ball is considered one of the top prep guards in the country. 247Sports currently ranks him 15th overall in the Class of 2019. 

Discussion of his eligibility came a day after LaVar Ball pulled his son LiAngelo out of UCLA due to displeasure about the school's handling of his shoplifting case in China. LiAngelo was one of three players arrested in what became an international incident.

LaVar Ball placed the blame on the school, which he says was too harsh on the players.

"You shouldn't hang them on the cross for this long for that," Ball said on CNN Tuesday. "A kid wants to play basketball all his life. You take that away, that's worse than jail. Why should we as parents and adults keep jumping on them? It's not like we're going through life without making mistakes...China already forgave the boys. They returned it. Why keep them from playing sports and take their meal passes? You already sent a message. They already apologized. What's the big deal?"

LaMelo Ball was previously pulled out of Chino Hills High School after repeated disagreements between LaVar and the administration and coaching staff. LaVar has said he plans to train LaMelo himself for the next two years until he's scheduled to attend UCLA.

Shams Charania of The Vertical reported the Ball family is also exploring potential overseas options for LiAngelo and LaMelo. Any professional experience would instantly make LaMelo ineligible to play at UCLA.