So, you’re asking about Lavar Ball’s job. Like, what did this guy actually do before he became a loud, shoe-selling, reality TV dad? Buckle up, because it’s a wilder ride than you’d expect. We’re talking about a man who turned a whistle into a global brand.
The Football (and Basketball) Years
First thing’s first: Lavar was an athlete. A big one. He played football at Washington State and later at West Los Angeles College, but his heart was always on the hardwood.
He actually tried out for the NBA. Yeah, the dream was real. He played briefly with the New York Knicks and the Charlotte Hornets, but we’re talking a gig that lasted about as long as a Snapchat story.
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A few preseason appearances. Maybe a cup of coffee in the locker room. Then he got cut, and the NBA dream went poof. But hey, you can’t keep a Ball down.
The Real Job: Football Coach and Mentor
After the pro circuit fizzled, Lavar found his groove. He became a football coach at a community college. But not just any coach—he was a head coach for the junior college team at West Los Angeles College.
LaVar Ball's Lavish Mansion Tour: Inside the $5.7M Chino Hills House
That gig lasted a few seasons. He was known for his loud voice, aggressive style, and the kind of confidence that makes you want to either high-five him or hide under a table. He didn’t just coach plays; he coached attitude.
Then he pivoted again. He started working as a personal trainer and a youth basketball coach. This is where the magic started brewing. He wasn’t making millions yet—just teaching kids how to dribble and talk trash (with love, of course).
The "Day Job" Nobody Talks About
Here’s the part that surprises people. Lavar actually had a blue-collar job for years. He worked in a scrap metal warehouse. Yep, the Big Baller Brand empire started with him hauling junk and getting dirty.
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He also drove a truck for a while. He’d load up heavy equipment and deliver it. It was honest, sweaty work. He didn’t complain—he just used that time to plot his next move. Can you imagine him yelling at a steering wheel about NBA contracts?
Oh, and he sold used cars. He was a car salesman for a bit. Honestly, that makes perfect sense. You can hear him now: “This Ford Fiesta? It’s guaranteed to get you to the NBA, baby!”
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The Turning Point: Big Baller Brand
Everything changed when his sons—Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo—started showing serious talent. Lavar quit all his other jobs. He went all-in on being a dad-ager and a hype man. This wasn't a hobby; it was a full-time career shift.
He launched Big Baller Brand in 2016. He went from selling scrap metal to selling $495 sneakers that he said were better than Nike. You have to admire the audacity. Or laugh at it. Either way, it worked.
Suddenly, his "job" was showing up on ESPN, starting verbal fights with Charles Barkley, and putting himself on a reality TV show. The man built a media empire out of sheer will and a loud mouth. Not bad for a guy who once worked in a warehouse.
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So, What’s the Verdict?
Lavar Ball’s living was never one thing. He was a football coach, a basketball mentor, a scrap metal hauler, a car salesman, and a failed NBA player. He’s the master of reinvention.
Most of us get one career. Lavar has had, like, seven. The secret? He never stopped talking about how great he and his family are. And people kept listening. That’s a job in itself, really. Professional confidence.
So, next time someone asks what Lavar did for a living, you can smile. Tell them he did a little bit of everything. And he did it all while wearing his own brand of shoes. Stay in your lane, baby—or better yet, build your own.