Who is LaVar Ball’s wife Tina? What to know about the mother of the powerhouse basketball family

In front of the cameras, the Ball family became known for its trio of brothers on the court and bombastic father, LaVar Ball, supporting their every move. The missing part of their family dynamic was wife and mother, Tina Ball. 

Tina has been at games supporting her three sons and been married to LaVar since 1997 after meeting as college athletes in California. 

The entire Ball family was thrust into the spotlight again on Wednesday after it was reported that LaVar had his foot amputated. 

The Ball family patriarch is said to have suffered a ‘serious medical issue’, according to TMZ. However, the details of his condition have not been revealed.  

The 57-year-old recently underwent the procedure to have his right foot removed but, despite the ordeal, is reportedly in ‘great spirits.’ None of the Ball brothers have publicly addressed their father’s surgery. 

Tina also has not spoken out about her husband’s condition and has shied away from the spotlight more than her three sons or husband. Here’s what to know about the mother in the powerhouse basketball family.

Tina was born in December 1968, meaning she is a few months removed from her 56th birthday. 

Much like her three sons and husband, Tina is a former athlete, playing college basketball for Cal State Los Angeles, not to be confused with her son Lonzo’s alma mater of UCLA, which is the University of California, Los Angeles. 

LaVar and Tina reportedly met through sports and needed the approval of her father, Bob Slatinsky, to earn her hand in marriage. 

The numerous tasks for LaVar to show his loyalty to Tina included brining her homework in the hospital after she had appendix surgery.

The Ball family’s three children were born between 1997 and 2001, with each making their mark on basketball, with dad LaVar at the center of that extra attention.  

The controversial businessman has made a name for himself by thrusting his three sons into the spotlight. 

The infamous basketball dad developed the ‘Big Baller Brand,’ which has created signature shoes for the trio of basketball players. 

LaVar has stirred controversy over the years with his various headline-grabbing claims about his sons. 

He had previously predicted that all three of his sons would play on the Los Angeles Lakers. 

However, 27-year-old Lonzo plays guard for the Chicago Bulls after previous spells with the Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans. 

‘It’ll be the worst move the Lakers ever did in their life and they’ll never win another championship, guarantee it,’ LaVar told ESPN in 2019 after Lonzo trade from the Lakers to the Pelicans was announced. ‘They’re going to regret it. I’m going to have fun with it.’ 

Meanwhile, his youngest, LaMelo has spent five seasons with the Charlotte Hornets after being drafted with the third overall pick in 2020, going on to claim Rookie of the Year honors. 

Meawhile, LiAngelo appears content to stay away from the court, instead choosing to pursue his music career. 

Off the back of his viral hit ‘Tweaker,’ LiAngelo inked a deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group for a guaranteed $8million – with the deal potentially rising to $13million – in January. 

Additionally, LiAngelo will have his own label – Born2Ball Music Group – and own all of his music.

Tina has mostly stayed out of the controversy ever since her family became well known in American sports.