Tina Ball is the wife of LaVar Ball, an American businessman. However, besides her role as LaVar Ball’s wife and the mother of his kids, Tina was the athletic director of Vernon Middle School and a lead designer of the Big Baller Brand. She is 56 years old as of 2024 and is often recognized for her association with her husband.
Before her health challenge, Tina defied the aging process with her remarkable physical fitness and active lifestyle. Prior to becoming Mrs. Ball, she had her own basketball career. She caught LaVar’s attention with her impressive skills and eventually married him in 1997. Her resilience was put to the test when she suffered a stroke in 2017 but managed to survive and regain her ability to walk. This is the untold story of Tina Ball, a woman whose life extends beyond being LaVar Ball’s wife.
Who Is LaVar Ball’s Wife?
LaVar Ball’s wife is Tina Ball, but there is more to her than that, as evidenced by the fact that she is also a designer and an athletic director. Tina Ball was born Christina Catherine Slatinsky in Miami, Florida, United States, on December 11, 1967, making her 56 years old as of 2024.
Tina’s parents are Robert “Bob” and Catherine Slatinsky. Her family background indicates that she is her parent’s only child, which hugely explains why her father, Bob, was so protective of her in her formative years. Tina Ball bagged her high school diploma after attending Alta Loma High School before attending California State University on a basketball scholarship.
She excelled in basketball during her high school and college years. She was a promising player who effortlessly dominated the court at Alta Loma High School and California State University, where she represented the institution on the Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles Women’s team.
Although Tina did not have a professional basketball career, she has made significant contributions to the world of sports. Before her health challenge, she served as the athletic director of Vernon Middle School. Additionally, she was a lead designer for the Big Baller Brand, a sports apparel company owned by the Ball family.
How Long Has Tina Been LaVar Ball’s Wife?
Tina Ball has been LaVar Ball’s wife for over two decades since tying the knot in 1997. The couple first met while they were both attending Cal State Los Angeles. At the time, Tina, a basketball player, caught LaVar’s attention during a college basketball game. According to LaVar, it was love at first sight, and he even told her right away that they would get married and have three sons to start a basketball dynasty.
Their initial meeting sparked a connection, and not long after, Tina and LaVar began dating during their time at Cal State Los Angeles. They dated for several years before deciding to take the next step in their relationship.
Although the exact timeline of their dating period is not widely known, it is believed that they dated for a significant amount of time before getting married. Tina and LaVar exchanged marital vows in what is increasingly being viewed as a private ceremony in 1997. However, the exact details of certain aspects of their nuptials, including the exact date and venue, have yet to be unveiled to the media and the general public.
Are LaVar Ball And Tina Ball Still Together?
Yes, LaVar Ball and Tina Ball are still together. This is despite the several challenges, including health challenges, that their marriage has endured. Throughout their years of marriage, Tina and LaVar have built a strong foundation of love, support, and devotion. Their relationship has weathered many challenges and adversities, including health issues that Tina faced. Despite these difficulties, they have remained united, supporting each other and their family through thick and thin.
Tina Ball’s role as LaVar Ball’s wife has been integral to their family’s journey. Together, they have raised three talented basketball-playing sons – Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo – who have garnered significant attention in basketball.
Tina’s unwavering support for her husband and children has been a driving force behind their success.
Tina Ball’s Children
Tina Ball has three children, all sons: Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo, with her husband, LaVar Ball. Her oldest son, Lonzo Ball, was born on October 27, 1997, in Anaheim, California, making him 26 years old as of 2024. Lonzo emerged as a promising talent during his college years at UCLA, showcasing exceptional passing and court vision.
He was selected as the 2nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft. His career had some ups and downs, playing for the Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and now with the Chicago Bulls. Lonzo is known for his playmaking ability and defensive skills.
Her middle child, LiAngelo Ball, was born on November 24, 1998, in Anaheim, California, and is currently 25 years old as of 2024. LiAngelo’s journey to the NBA has faced several obstacles, including going undrafted. He played in the Junior Basketball Association and participated in workouts with G League and NBA teams.
He’s had stints with the Oklahoma City Blue and the Charlotte Hornets’ Summer League team. While he hasn’t yet secured a permanent NBA roster spot, he’s pursued opportunities in the G League and international leagues to continue developing his game.
The youngest of Tina Ball’s three sons, LaMelo Ball, was born on August 22, 2001, in Chino Hills, California, a fact that indicates he is currently 22 years old as of 2024. LaMelo gained attention early on for his exceptional skills, playing alongside his brothers at Chino Hills High School.
He bypassed college to play professionally in Lithuania and Australia before being selected by the Charlotte Hornets as the 3rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. LaMelo quickly made an impact in the NBA, winning Rookie of the Year in the 2020-2021 season. His flashy style, passing ability, and court vision have drawn comparisons to some of the game’s greatest playmakers.
Tina’s children have garnered significant media attention due to their father, LaVar Ball’s outspoken nature and the “Big Baller Brand” marketing campaign. Each has pursued a basketball career, with varying degrees of success in the professional leagues.
While Lonzo and LaMelo have established themselves in the NBA, LiAngelo continues to strive for a permanent spot, working through alternative leagues and opportunities to secure his place in professional basketball.
What Happened To Tina Ball?
In February 2017, Tina Ball experienced a life-altering event when she suffered a stroke at home. This stroke left her with expressive aphasia, a condition that affects verbal communication.
After the incident, Tina had to undergo a challenging journey of recovery and rehabilitation. Expressive aphasia significantly impacted Tina’s ability to write and speak, forcing her to relearn these skills from scratch.
Tina Ball’s Health Update
Although she has made progress, her speech remains limited, and she struggles to join in the noise and excitement of sports events. This condition has altered her sports experience, something she was once actively involved in.
Tina’s recovery process has been documented on the family’s Facebook series, “Ball in the Family.” Recently, her son, Lonzo Ball, opened up about his mother’s stroke and the impact it had on their family.
Lonzo described Tina as the one who held everything together, highlighting her significant role in their lives. Her stroke was undoubtedly tough on the entire family. Despite the family’s efforts to keep Tina’s recovery mostly private, recent “Ball in the Family” episodes reveal that she has made significant progress.
LaVar Ball, Tina’s husband, has been pressuring her to regain her speech and movement, drawing a parallel to Roald Dahl’s treatment of Patricia Neal, who also suffered a stroke. This approach aims to encourage and motivate Tina during her rehabilitation journey.
Tina Ball’s stroke incident in 2017 has had a profound impact on her life and the lives of her loved ones. Despite the challenges she faces due to expressive aphasia, she continues to work hard and make progress in her recovery. With the support of her family and ongoing rehabilitation, she is determined to regain her abilities and live life to the fullest.
Tina Ball’s Height
Tina Ball stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm). With her towering stature, she commands attention wherever she goes. Her height sets her apart and contributes to her strong and athletic build.
In comparison, her husband, LaVar Ball, is slightly taller, standing at 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm). Despite the slight height difference, Tina and LaVar make a formidable couple in terms of their physical presence and unwavering support for their sons’ basketball careers. Tina’s height likely played a role in her own basketball career through high school and college.
FAQs
What did Tina Ball do before her stroke?
Tina Ball was a basketball player during her college years and later focused on raising her children, including NBA players Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo.
Is Tina Ball alive?
Yes, Tina Ball is alive. She survived a stroke and is currently making progress in her rehabilitation.
