Former Bruin Lonzo Ball Will Be Honorary Captain for UCLA Men’s Basketball Against Rutgers

A familiar face will be back in Pauley Pavilion with UCLA men’s basketball on Tuesday night.

Former Bruin Lonzo Ball will serve as the team’s honorary captain for the game against Rutgers. Ball played the 2016-17 season with UCLA before the Los Angeles Lakers drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

During his time at UCLA, Ball started in all 36 games of his freshman season and averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and a nation-leading 7.6 assists per game that year. He also won the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Award and was a consensus first-team All-American.

Ball’s younger brother, LiAngelo Ball, was on the UCLA men’s basketball team the following season in 2017. However, LiAngelo’s stint with the Bruins ended before he played in a game. He was suspended indefinitely for his involvement in a shoplifting incident in China.

Lonzo remained a key athlete in Los Angeles after his stint with UCLA as he went on to spend two seasons with the Lakers in the NBA.

He quickly made a name for himself in the league by becoming the first Lakers player to win the NBA Summer League MVP Award. Ball was the second Bruin to win the award after former UCLA guard/forward Kyle Anderson won in 2015. Ball finished the season as a NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection in 2018.

After two seasons with the Lakers, Los Angeles traded Ball in a package to the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis. This would be the first of three trade deals Ball has be included in throughout his career.

The Pelicans traded Ball after two seasons to the Chicago Bulls in August 2021. And most recently, the Bulls traded Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in July for forward Isaac Okoro.

This season, Ball is averaging 4.6 points, four rebounds and 3.9 assists in 35 games with the Cavaliers.

Everything You Need to Know for Rutgers Game

UCLA will be taking on Rutgers at Pauley Pavilion at 6:30 pm PST. Doors for the event will open at 5:30 pm PST, one hour prior to tip-off.

This game is celebrating “Black Excellence” in honor of the start of Black History Month in February. Random Voices Acapella will be singing the national anthem, and fans can enjoy halftime performances from the Bruinettes and UCLA Dance Team.

The following bags are allowed entry into Pauley Pavilion:

• Small clutch bag 4.5″ x 6.5″, with or without a handle or strap. This can be carried separately or within a plastic bag.
• Bags that are clear plastics, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12″W x 12″H x 6″D 
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar) 

Tickets for the game are available for purchase here.

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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