Boys’ basketball: Just wait until LaMelo Ball shows up at Chino Hills

When a 12-year-old incoming eighth-grader scores 29 points in a basketball game against 16- and 17-year-olds, it’s time to say, “Wow.”

That’s what LaMelo Ball, younger brother of Chino Hills’ Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball, pulled off this summer in a game in Las Vegas.

“It it truly incredible for a kid of his age and size to have the confidence to be in there and want to compete,” Chino Hills Coach Steve Baik said.

The Ball brothers could soon become the first family of Southern California high school basketball.

Lonzo, a 6-foot-6 junior point guard, is committed to UCLA. LiAngelo, a 6-4 sophomore guard, is a rising prospect. Then there’s 5-8 LaMelo.

“Everybody in his family says he’s going to be better than Lonzo and LiAngelo,” Baik said.

The Balls played on the same travel team this summer, and come 2015-16, they’ll be all playing for Chino Hills.

It’s going to be quite a scene. No doubt ESPN, Fox and every shoe company on earth will be maneuvering to become best friends with the family.

But so far, the brothers aren’t into rankings, publicity or marketing themselves. They’re into winning, getting good grades and getting better.

It’s going to be fun to watch and to see how the brothers deal with the question, “Who’s the best Ball brother?”

Twitter:@LATSondheimer