LaVar Ball proposes college-age league that will pay players

Former NCAA player, media personality, and father of three NBA players, LaVar Ball wants to shake up young hoops in the United States. Jumping on the FBI investigation into the under the table payments in college Basketball, Ball is proposing a paying league for high school graduates.

Speaking on Wednesday, the businessman said he is developing a league that will bridge the gap between high school and NBA hoops. Yes, that’s a space currently occupied by college Basketball and the NCAA.

LaVar Ball says the league will feature nationally ranked players who have graduated high school and may not want to go the college route. There is one obvious reason why this league would appeal, it would pay the players.

An FBI investigation and ongoing prosecution process suggests NCAA players have been getting paid for years, at least under the table. However, that meal ticket has been shut down by the investigation, which was arguably the biggest sporting scandal of the year.

Called the Junior Basketball Association will be fully funded by Ball’s Big Baller Brand. He says the salary for the lowest ranked player will be $3,000 a month, while the best ranked player will get $10,000. 80 players are wanted to make 10 teams that will use NBA arenas in Los Angeles, Dallas, Brooklyn and Atlanta.

“Getting these players is going to be easy,” Ball told ESPN. “This is giving guys a chance to get a jump start on their career, to be seen by pro scouts, and we’re going to pay them because someone has to pay these kids.”