Lonzo Ball names his dad as the toughest player he's had to guard

Lonzo says his dad, LaVar, was a lot to handle on the court while he was growing up.

© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is one of the NBA's best defenders among guards. When healthy, the former UCLA Bruin is agile and quick enough to stay in front with the league's best perimeter scorers. So, how did Lonzo develop his defensive chops? He credits his outspoken father, LaVar, for helping him toughen up during their numerous backyard battles while he was still growing up.

LaVar was unstoppable

In an article for the Players Tribune, Lonzo detailed how hard it was to guard LaVar. And regardless of his young age, Lonzo says his dad never took it easy on him.

"The toughest player I've ever guarded was definitely my dad. He used to kill me in the backyard growing up. He had no jump shot. No handle. He was just all size and strength. Didn't matter if I was nine, 12 or 15 years old — he would post me up and talk all this trash about how I couldn't stop him. And he was right. I couldn't. I was just too small," said Lonzo.

Stand their ground

Lonzo added that his father was relentless, which taught him the importance of mental toughness.

"He never let me back down. He wouldn't allow that. He'd get me in the post and run me over — just go right through me — then I'd get up, and he'd come right back at me and do it again. He did it to LiAngelo and LaMelo, too. We couldn't do nothing with it. But we had to try to stand our ground," shared Lonzo.

It wasn't until Lonzo's final years in high school that he began having success against LaVar. By then, Lonzo had already grown into an athletic 6-foot-6 combo guard who would eventually become the second overall pick for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft. He also had a successful stint with the New Orleans Pelicans before joining the Chicago Bulls.

Those days in the backyard, though, laid the foundation for Lonzo's success. LaVar prided himself on being a tough father, and Lonzo believes it helped him in the long run.

"Those days in the backyard? They definitely prepared me for high school ball, college, and even the NBA."