UCLA Men's Basketball: Long-Injured Ex-Bruin Expects To Play Again

The hope is that we get to see him play again soon!

One of the better college basketball prospects to come out of UCLA in the last 10 years has been point guard Lonzo Ball. Prior to entering the NBA, many people believed that he was the savior for the Los Angeles Lakers and that he could give them a feeling of what Magic Johnson did in the 1980s.

Ironically, Johnson was the man who ended up drafting Ball while he was in charge of running the Lakers. But, fate had other plans, and Ball never really panned out with LA.

He showed flashes of what he could provide at times but was never fully consistent. Ball was shipped off to New Orleans in exchange for Anthony Davis, and that was it on his Lakers career.

His career has been decimated by injuries, and he hasn’t stepped on the floor of an NBA game since the 2021-2022 season. There has been doubt that he will ever play again, but Ball put that narrative to bed over the weekend at the Invest Fest in Atlanta.

"I'm going to play again," Ball said Saturday.

Per NBC Sports Chicago

If Ball is able to suit up this season, it would be a great sight. Before his injury, the Chicago Bulls were playing some of the best basketball in years. He brought a different element to the team with his shooting and passing ability. Ball was in the groove before suffering his injury.

"For me, I know what I gotta do to get back. And I'm just on a path doing what I gotta do every day, taking it step-by-step. I don't look too far ahead. I know in my near future that I will be back on the court for sure."

Per NBC Sports Chicago

It’s been an unfortunate few seasons for Ball, but the hope is that he can regain his form. He is still only 25 years old, and we all hope that we get to see him back on an NBA floor sooner rather than later.