Sports

Stop The Presses: Lonzo Ball Denies Retirement After Video Of Him Seeming To Say Otherwise Goes Viral: “I Retired? That’s News To Me”

By Staff Report / September 23, 2026

Lonzo Ball took to social media on Wednesday to deny widespread reports that he is retiring from the NBA, assuring fans he is still healthy and actively looking to join a team for the upcoming season.

The 28-year-old free agent guard sparked a media frenzy following the release of a poignant clip from his family’s podcast, Ball in the Family. In the episode, Ball reflected on his turbulent, injury-plagued career in a way that many listeners interpreted as a formal farewell to the game.

“I feel like I gave everything I had to hoop,” Ball said in the video. “I don’t think I ever got to my peak, and damn, that shit sucks… But at the same time, there’s people that don’t have meals at night to eat. That’s how I look at the world.” He added that he was “grateful to even make it to the league and be able to play for nine years.”

As major sports outlets and social media accounts began reporting the quote as an official retirement announcement, Ball quickly moved to clear the air.

“I retired? News to me lol cuz I’m still waiting for a call… NBA season long,” Ball posted on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that his remarks were reflective rather than definitive.

The former No. 2 overall pick has endured one of the most grueling medical stretches in modern NBA history. After suffering a severe meniscus tear in January 2022 while playing for the Chicago Bulls, Ball underwent three separate knee surgeries, including a rare cartilage and meniscus transplant that sidelined him for more than two full seasons.

Against immense odds, Ball made a successful return to the court for the 2025–26 NBA season. He appeared in 35 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game as a reliable veteran presence off the bench. He was traded to the Utah Jazz in February 2026 and subsequently waived, finishing the year on the open market.

While the physical toll of his injuries has undeniably altered his career trajectory, Ball remains an unrestricted free agent and insists his playing days are far from over. As training camps approach, the veteran playmaker is waiting on the phone to ring for year ten.

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