Ah, Lavar Ball. You could make the argument that he's the biggest story in sports this year. The man is a marketing genius, and more importantly, he's a Dad. Lavar has coached his three sons, Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo Ball since they were young, and he has hopes that one day, all three of them will play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Lonzo, the oldest Ball brother, was the #2 overall pick in the 2017 draft by none other than, the Los Angeles Lakers. LaMelo, the youngest, is one of the top prospects in the nation and has already committed to UCLA. Then there's Liangelo.

It's unfortunate, but the middle Ball brother isn't projected to be as successful as his brothers when it comes to playing professionally. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA's news savant, Melo had no chance to be drafted in next June's draft. That was before his most recent shoplifting event in China, in which the President of The United States had to be involved. LiAngelo, along with two other UCLA players were indefinitely suspended, that was enough for Lavar Ball to take Melo out of UCLA. Not only did he take him out of school, he says he plans to prepare Melo for the draft next year.

Now, if the goal is to get all three sons to the Lakers, why take one out of college before he's even had the chance to play? What sense does it make for LiAngelo to sit out a year, when he isn't even considered a fringe prospect? Well, there could be a method to Lavar Ball's madness. You see, you don't have to play in college to go to the NBA, you can play overseas. The only caveat to playing overseas, is that you forfeit NCAA eligibility, because you are a professional. So, theoretically, Gelo could play in the CBA for a year and declare for the 2018 NBA draft because he'd be a year removed from high school graduation.

Even if the Ball family decides to go down that path, there's still no guarantee that Gelo would be drafted, let alone by the Los Angeles Lakers. I believe the issue here that needs to be talked about is the effect on the kid's education. Everything that's being talked about revolves around basketball. Yes, these boys can play, and yes, they have bright futures in the sports. But what's the purpose of school in the first place if your son is not guaranteed to play professionally? Shouldn't that make his education all the more important?

The best case scenario would be LiAngelo serving his suspension and returning to the team when they allowed him too. He would continue playing basketball at UCLA, for more than a year, in an effort to improve as a player and try and get into the league. He'd do four years, graduate, and declare for the draft. Hopefully, with some luck, he'd become a Laker. Again, that's what I'd do.

Lavar has plans for his boys and after seeing the oldest land the starting point guard gig for the premier franchise in basketball, you can't argue LaVar's tactics. He's a lot of things, but he's also smart. His latest decision to withdraw his son from school is puzzling because the effects go beyond basketball. It compounds a negative perception brought on by brash statements and international larceny.

A year ago, we had no clue who Lavar Ball was, now he's all the talk in sports. LaVar's recent moves serve as an indication that he will stop at nothing to see his plans for his sons follow through, no matter the measure it takes to get there.

LiAngelo is in a weird spot, but for his sake, I hope he's able to continue his education somewhere else soon. His basketball future is murky, but with Lavar Ball at the helm, anything and everything seems possible.