Tina Ball is a former American basketball player who is widely recognized as a member of the well-known Ball family, one of basketball’s most prominent families. Although her husband LaVar Ball and their sons have frequently been in the public spotlight, Tina has generally maintained a more private life despite her own impressive basketball background. During her school and college years, Tina established herself as a talented basketball player. It was on the basketball court that she first met LaVar Ball, and their shared passion for the sport eventually led to marriage. While she stepped away from competitive basketball after starting a family, she has remained closely connected to athletics. Tina serves as the athletic director at Vernon Middle School in Montclair, California, where she continues to support youth sports and physical education. She is also one of the founding members of the family’s sports apparel company, Big Baller Brand, which was created to promote the Ball family’s basketball legacy. In addition, Tina has appeared on the family’s Facebook reality series, “Ball in the Family,” offering viewers a glimpse into their personal lives. Through her support of her family’s athletic pursuits and business ventures, she has played a significant role behind the scenes, helping establish the Ball family as one of basketball’s most recognizable households.
Rise to Stardom
Although Tina Ball is widely recognized as the wife of LaVar Ball and the mother of basketball stars Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo Ball, she built an impressive basketball career long before her family’s rise to fame. Passionate about the game from an early age, she quickly developed into an outstanding player. During high school, she earned varsity basketball honors for four consecutive years and established herself as one of the area’s top prospects, averaging 15.8 points and 18.2 rebounds per game.
She continued her basketball journey at California State University, Los Angeles, where she played for the Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles women’s basketball team. By the end of her collegiate career, she ranked among the program’s all-time leaders in several statistical categories, including points, field-goal attempts, field goals made, rebounds, blocked shots, free throws made, and free-throw attempts.
It was during her college playing days that LaVar Ball first noticed her. Impressed by her six-foot frame, athleticism, ball-handling ability, and basketball skills, he pursued a relationship with her. After dating for several years, the couple married and eventually raised their three sons—Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo Ball.
Although Tina chose not to pursue professional basketball after marriage and motherhood, she remained deeply involved in the sport. While LaVar focused on training their sons, Tina provided the encouragement, discipline, and emotional support that helped shape their development. She has also continued working in athletics as the Athletic Director at Vernon Middle School in Montclair, California, where she oversees sports programs and teaches physical education to middle-school students.
In August 2017, Tina and her family launched the Facebook reality series “Ball in the Family,” which follows the personal and professional lives of the Ball family. The show’s debut episode attracted approximately 26 million viewers. Tina is also a founding member of the family’s business venture, Big Baller Brand (3B), which offers sports apparel and footwear, including the Lady 3B and Girl 3B clothing collections.
As the family’s strongest source of support, Tina regularly attended her sons’ basketball games until health issues limited her ability to do so. In February 2017, she suffered a major stroke that resulted in aphasia, a condition affecting speech. Although she initially had difficulty speaking despite understanding conversations, her health gradually improved through recovery, allowing her to regain much of her speech and mobility.
Family & Personal Life
Tina Ball was born Christina Catherine Slatinsky on December 11, 1967, in Miami, Florida, to Robert and Catherine Slatinsky. From an early age, she displayed a strong interest in athletics, particularly basketball. She excelled both at Alta Loma High School and later at California State University, Los Angeles, where she represented the Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles women’s basketball team.
Basketball also introduced Tina to her future husband. According to LaVar Ball, he first noticed her after transferring from West Los Angeles College to Cal State Los Angeles. Captivated by her talent and presence on the basketball court, he confidently approached her and famously declared, “I don’t know what we’re going to do, but we’re gonna be doing something!” Although Tina was initially surprised by his bold personality, their relationship soon blossomed.
LaVar even predicted during their first meeting that they would one day marry and raise a family of basketball-playing sons. His prediction eventually became reality. The couple married and had three sons, Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, and LaMelo Ball, all of whom pursued basketball careers.
Through her eldest son, Lonzo, Tina is also the grandmother of Zoey, who was named in her honor. Throughout the years, she has remained a devoted wife, mother, and supporter of her family’s athletic achievements while continuing to inspire others through her resilience and dedication.