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Lonzo Ball Hints At Stepping Away From NBA At 28: 'Left It All On The Court'
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- Lonzo Ball Hints At Stepping Away From NBA At 28: 'Left It All On The Court'
The basketball world received heartbreaking news this Wednesday involving Lonzo Ball . Although he's just 28 years old, he's retiring from the NBA.
Ball, the No. 2 pick from the 2017 NBA Draft, was supposed to be the next big thing for the Los Angeles Lakers . However, he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 as part of. a blockbuster deal centered around Anthony Davis . Two years later, Ball signed a four-year, $85 million contract with the Chicago Bulls .
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At first, it seemed like Ball was destined to reach his full potential with the Bulls. That was before a serious knee injury kept him off the court for a few years.
After playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers this past season, Ball made the tough decision to step away from the NBA entirely.
"I think I left it all on the court, and honestly, everything in my life stems from hoops. I'm thankful I got the opportunity to play professionally for 9 years," Ball told Gilbert Arenas. "I don't think I ever got to my peak, and that sucks, but at the same time there's people that don't have meals at night to eat. That's how I look at the world."
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center on February 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Fans devastated over this news.
"Lonzo Ball retiring hurts my soul man. Favorite player since I was a freshman in high school. 2016. I tried 6 times to watch him in person and each time he got hurt before the game or was put on the injury report the day of the game," one fan said.
"This is so sad," a second fan wrote on X. "One of the biggest what ifs ever in the NBA if he didn't wear those stupid shoes."
"We didn't even see what prime Lonzo would look like bro," another fan commented.
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Ball, a former McDonald's All-American and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, finished his NBA career averaging 10.6 points, 5.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game.
We're wishing Ball all the best as he enters the next chapter of his career.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Sep 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
