LaVar Ball denies being reason for Chino Hills HS firing head coach

Chino Hills High School in California is home to the Ball family, as both Lonzo and LiAngelo attended the school, while LaMelo is heading into his junior year this fall.

Their father, LaVar, is well-known for his brashness and his influence over his sons. However, according to LaVar, don't blame him for Chino Hills relieving first-year head coach Stephan Gilling, even though the elder Ball publicly said in March that Gilling could not coach and LiAngelo and LaMelo did not want to play for him.

"He's a really good guy, but I'm just not sure he was experienced enough," Ball said to Jeff Goodman of ESPN. "But I wasn't the reason why he's gone. It was protocol that the job is open every year."

Gilling led Chino Hill to a 30-3 record in his lone season and his first ever as a head coach. In 2015-16, when Lonzo attended Chino Hills under then head coach Steve Baik, the program went 35-0.

In a message to ESPN, Gilling confirmed his removal as head coach.

"As of yesterday, I was relieved of my duties at Chino Hills High School," Gilling said. "Feeling relieved about it. Just want to give a shoutout to the players. Good luck."

Lonzo declared for the NBA draft immediately after UCLA lost to Kentucky in this year's NCAA tournament and is expected to be a top-three pick. LiAngelo will begin his career with the Bruins this fall as a freshman, while LaMelo is committed to UCLA, but will still have two more years of high school.