By Daniel Starkand
As expected, the Los Angeles Lakers selected UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. With Ball headed to Los Angeles, his Lakers jersey is now available for preorder, via Fanatics. Orders over $35 are eligible for free shipping through Thursday night, using the code “35JUNE.”
The jersey is a special event item, so orders containing the jersey will be shipped separately. Ball’s jersey will begin shipping 2-4 weeks after he officially signs a contract with the Lakers and the deal is approved by the NBA.
With the NBA’s new deal with Nike not set to go into effect until September, all jerseys sold beforehand will be under the Adidas brand.
Ball was the favorite to land in Los Angeles when the Philadelphia 76ers completed a trade with the Boston Celtics to get the No. 1 overall pick. Predictably, the 76ers selected Washington point guard Markelle Fultz.
Others the Lakers reportedly were considering with the pick were Kansas forward Josh Jackson and Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox. The potential of Ball being the Lakers floor general for years to come too difficult for Magic Johnson and the front office to pass on.
In his lone season at UCLA, Ball averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and an NCAA-leading 7.6 assists while shooting 55.1 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three-point percentage.
The Lakers held held the No. 2 overall pick in the Draft for a third straight year, previously selecting D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram.