It was revealed last month that LaVar Ball had his right foot amputated. On Tuesday, the father of Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo opened up about his health. 

LaVar Ball Says Foot Amputation Stemmed From Diabetes Complications

LaVar, 57, revealed in an exclusive with SLAM that he needed three surgeries as well as four blood transfusions in order to get everything under control. There were times where he was legitimately questioning if he’d see another day.

“All those surgeries and blood transfusions, it made me question whether it was worth going through it sometimes,” LaVar said. “It made me think, ‘Man, just kill me and let me go about my business.’ It made me think that maybe it’s time for me to shut it down.”

What led to this near-death incident? LaVar said it had to do with him having diabetes.

“I had an infection on my foot that started spreading through my blood due to not paying attention to my diabetes,” Ball wrote, via SLAM. “I ended up having to get my leg amputated.

First, they cut off a couple of toes. Then they cut off my foot. Then they said, We gotta go almost knee high for another surgery. Three surgeries. And then there were also the blood transfusions. Not one, not two, not three, four different times.”

LaVar Ball on the court.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 05: Lavar Ball, father of LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Spectrum Center on February 05, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

David Jensen/Getty Images

Going under the knife multiple times can’t be easy for anyone. Thankfully, Ball’s sons kept him motivated throughout this grueling process.

“What I want people to understand is that anytime you’re dealing with an illness or something serious like that, one thing you better have is family to get you through that stuff,” Ball continued. “I’m the Big Baller.

I’m hard to kill. But I must admit that my boys kept me rolling. Cause a couple of times, I was like, ‘I can’t do no more blood transfusions. I can’t do no more operations. I’m just ready to shut it down. It’s enough for me.’ But I’m here for a bigger purpose.”

LaMelo and Lonzo Ball's father, LaVar Ball, opens up on resilience after leg amputation: "I'm the Big Baller. I'm hard to kill" | NBA News - The Times of India

LaMelo recently gave his father a shoutout on Instagram. He wrote, “I love u pops 5L and after.” Suffice to say, Lavar appreciated that message.

We’re certainly wishing the Ball family patriarch all the best.