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[Saba Sports News] LaVar Ball underwent a right foot and partial lower-leg amputation last month, and now he’s sharing the difficult journey that led to it.
In a first-person article published by Slam on Tuesday, Ball revealed that his amputation was the result of an infection caused by complications from diabetes. The procedure happened in three stages, and Ball admits that his own negligence played a role in the severity of his condition.
“I had an infection on my foot that started spreading through my blood due to not paying attention to my diabetes,” Ball wrote. “First, they cut off a couple of toes. Then they cut off my foot. Then they said, ‘We gotta go almost knee-high for another surgery.’ Three surgeries. And then there were also the blood transfusions. Not one, not two, not three—four different times.”
Ball is now urging others to prioritize their health and not ignore warning signs. He revealed that his infection began around Christmas, but he waited too long to seek treatment, allowing it to escalate. The ordeal took such an emotional toll that Ball even considered ending his life. However, his love for his sons and his desire to see them continue thriving kept him going.
Now 57, Ball has a renewed outlook on life and remains as determined as ever.
“I got a lot of limbs to come off. I’m hard to kill,” Ball wrote. “I got some bigger stuff that the Big Baller still gotta do. And that guy upstairs put me here for a reason. And I’m gonna get it done.”
Beyond his own resilience, Ball continues to celebrate his family’s success. His sons Lonzo and LaMelo have carved out strong NBA careers, while middle son LiAngelo signed a major music deal in January. While some may see that as completing the Ball family’s puzzle, LaVar insists he’s always known he raised three winners.