
via Getty
CHINO HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 22: LaVar Ball, center, is shown with his sons and Chino Hill High School basketball stars, LiAngelo, left, and LaMelo, right, at their home in Chino HIlls, CA on Wednesday, February 22, 2017. The family wears the Big Baller Brand line of clothing that LaVar started. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

via Getty
CHINO HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 22: LaVar Ball, center, is shown with his sons and Chino Hill High School basketball stars, LiAngelo, left, and LaMelo, right, at their home in Chino HIlls, CA on Wednesday, February 22, 2017. The family wears the Big Baller Brand line of clothing that LaVar started. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
While LaVar Ball has long had a plan to see all 3 of his sons play in the NBA, LiAngelo is busy preparing for the birth of his child. The news became official a couple of months ago. The kid will be coming into a family full of NBA talents. With Lonzo and LaMelo already leaving their mark in the league, there will be expectations from the soon-to-be child of LiAngelo. Whether the kid pursues basketball or not, it won’t be difficult to identify him after the name given to him by his parents, which left the NBA world stunned.
While Lonzo Ball is forever going to be held to seemingly unfair standards, he has become a key part of the Chicago Bulls lineup. As LiAngelo continues to make an impact in the G-league, a call-up might be imminent. The star of the family, however, has been LaMelo Ball. But, there is about to be a new Ball in town.
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LiAngelo Ball and Nikki Mudarris reveal their baby’s name
As LiAngelo gets set to welcome the baby boy, the entire Ball family was in attendance for the baby shower. The couple were all smiles as Nikki shared a post on Instagram. The 24-year-old and Nikki Mudarris have been dating for a while in private.

USA Today via Reuters
Aug 12, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward LiAngelo Ball (8) runs up court during an NBA Summer League game against the San Antonio Spurs at Cox Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The couple confirmed the relationship and that they were expecting in an interview with People Magazine in April. His parents were shocked upon hearing the news, as LiAngelo recalls, “When I told my mom and pops they were shocked a little bit but I think more so excited than anything.”
View this post on Instagram
Mudarris, a California native, fits right in with the Ball family. The former star of “Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood” is focusing on her career as an entrepreneur. However, the focus shifted to the baby’s name, which left the NBA world shocked.
Read More: Still Petty Over Michael Jordan Challenge, LaMelo Ball’s Father Gives MJ a History Reality Check
The kid’s name goes in line with the names of the rest of the men in the family. After LaVar named his three sons Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo, the newest addition to the Ball family has been named LaVelo.
NBA fans stunned by the name of LiAngelo’s soon-to-be-born son
Fans found the name a little shocking as it continued the ‘L’ trend in the family. One user commented, “oh how the f**k did this happen?”
Oh how the fuck did this happen? 😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/rwT4xQm3oK
— Snake Eater (@ShellzJG88) June 15, 2023
What the hell man
— Yas² 🫀 (@yasmineisokay) June 15, 2023
One fan even became a grammar nazi about the name, wishing for a change.
Excuse my french ass but velo is masculine noun, so it should be LeVelo 🤓
— The kid from Fontamara 🇭🇹 (@AchilleV8) June 15, 2023
Further, fans had iconic GIFs to use to encapsulate their collective disgust at the choice of name.
“LaVelo” pic.twitter.com/ICXPJVdTx9
— ? (@1ebrzo) June 15, 2023
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Even more, some fans were reaching out to Gelo’s father like he hadn’t done the same with his 3 children.
I know lavar is like where did i go wrong 😂
— Toni Childs Child (@Ayeeeee__Alexis) June 15, 2023
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As the couple gets set to welcome their baby boy, this kind of negativity is surely not what they had in mind. Trolling aside, the NBA world showered the family with love.
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