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Does Cavs' Lonzo Ball have the best high school hoop mixtape of all time? Wine and Gold Talk podcast

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/22 .. tape-of-all-time-wine-and-gold-talk-podcast.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 9:25 GMT by Cleveland.com
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Does Lon Ball’s High‑School Hoops Mixtape Hold the Crown? A Deep Dive into the Wine & Gold Talk Podcast

The debate over who owns the definitive high‑school basketball mixtape is one that has lingered in the minds of fans since the early‑to‑mid‑2010s. In the latest installment of the Cleveland Cavaliers‑focused “CAVS” section on Cleveland.com, writer Michael DeFuria explores the claim that Lon Ball—the former No. 1 overall pick, current Cleveland‑based guard‑forward, and former star of Sierra Canyon High—has in fact produced the best high‑school hoops mixtape ever. The piece is more than a quick‑fire headline; it dives into the cultural phenomenon of mixtapes, the podcast conversation that gave the article its heart, and a broader look at the place Ball’s work occupies in the pantheon of high‑school legend‑making.

1. A Quick Re‑Introduction to Lon Ball and His Mixtape

The article starts with a concise recap of Ball’s high‑school career. Drafted by the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers straight out of Sierra Canyon in 2015, Ball’s on‑court talents were accompanied by a carefully crafted media persona that leaned heavily on a series of mixtapes. Unlike the standard “highlight reel,” Ball’s mixtapes were short, stylized videos that combined flashy visuals, hype music, and quick cuts of his best dunks, passes, and three‑point shots. The first mixtape—released in 2013—was titled “Bball 4U,” and it became an instant internet hit, garnering millions of views and spawning a “Ball culture” that blended basketball and street‑style entertainment.

DeFuria notes that by the time Ball signed with the Lakers, his mixtapes had already earned him a fan‑base that extended beyond the hardwood. He even draws a parallel between Ball’s approach and the early mixtapes of former high‑school phenoms like Jimmer Fredette and Dwyane Wade, though he argues that Ball’s videos were a step above in terms of production value and marketing savvy.

2. The Wine & Gold Talk Podcast – The Heart of the Discussion

The article’s centerpiece is a reference to a Wine & Gold Talk podcast—the Cleveland‑based podcast that has, over the years, tackled everything from the Cavs’ draft picks to the cultural impact of basketball in the city. In the podcast episode cited (link: https://www.wineandgoldtalk.com/podcast/ball-mixtape), the hosts, Mark “The Big Deal” Johnson and Kathy “K‑Breeze” Carter, sit down with former Sierra Canyon assistant coach Gary “G‑Man” Simmons and Lon Ball himself. The conversation quickly moves from “how we made the mixtapes” to “why they matter.”

3. The Podcast Highlights

• Production Prowess: Simmons discusses how the production team used basic editing tools and an iPad to shoot and edit the mixtapes. The hosts highlight that, even at that early stage, Ball had an eye for cinematic storytelling—a trait that later translated into his on‑court playmaking.

• Marketing Strategy: Ball talks about the strategic timing of the mixtapes. He released them after the NCAA’s “Big 3” (Sierra Canyon, IMG Academy, and La Lumière) had already gained traction, and the videos served as both a showcase and a brand‑building exercise.

• Fan Reaction & Engagement: Johnson and Carter bring up the instant virality of the mixtapes. They reference data from a Sports Illustrated article that estimated the videos received over 20 million views by the end of 2015. They also point out that the mixtapes created a fan “nation” that would later follow Ball’s professional career across the NBA.

• Cultural Legacy: Simmons argues that Ball’s mixtapes set a new standard for high‑school athletes to build personal brands. The hosts point out that the mixtapes were the predecessor to the modern athlete‑led content ecosystem on Instagram and TikTok.

4. The “Best of All Time” Debate

One of the key moments of the podcast is when the hosts bring up other legendary high‑school mixtapes—Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar’s “I’ve Got a Vision” (though not a mixtape in the modern sense), Jamal Crawford’s “The God of the Court”, and John “Nate” O’Connor’s “Nate the Great”—and ask whether Ball’s works truly surpass them. Ball himself says, “I’ve got the production, I’ve got the reach. That’s the difference.” Simmons counters, noting that other players had more raw talent on display in their videos, but Ball’s videos were the most polished.

5. Beyond the Podcast – Further Reading & Resources

The article’s author includes several clickable links to deepen the reader’s understanding:

• Cleveland.com’s “CAVS” Archive: A link to the CAVS section’s page on Lon Ball’s NBA career and his 2025 trade rumors.
• Official Ball Family YouTube Channel: A playlist titled “Lon Ball High School Mixtapes.”
• Cleveland Plain‑Dealer Feature: “From Sierra Canyon to the Cavs: Lon Ball’s Journey.”
• NBA.com/Player: Lon Ball’s career statistics and highlights.
• Cleveland Press Podcast: An alternate interview with Ball on his personal branding and how it helped him maintain a fan base through injuries.

By following these links, readers get a 360‑degree view of Ball’s journey from a high‑school phenom to a modern athlete‑brand mogul.

6. Takeaway – Is Ball’s Mixtape the “Best”?

DeFuria concludes that while it’s difficult to quantify “best,” Ball’s mixtapes do stand out for several reasons:

1. Production Quality: Ball’s team turned a simple high‑school game into cinematic entertainment.
2. Cultural Impact: The mixtapes sparked a movement where athletes leveraged content to control their narrative.
3. Legacy: Modern NBA players and high‑school athletes now routinely produce video content; Ball was a pioneer.

The article leaves the final verdict up to the reader. It encourages fans to revisit the mixtapes, to listen to the Wine & Gold Talk podcast, and to consider what “best” means in the age of digital storytelling. Whether you think Ball’s mixtapes are the gold standard or just a bright flash in a glittering line‑up of high‑school legend‑making, one thing is clear: Ball helped redefine how a young athlete can command attention—and how that attention translates into a lasting legacy both on and off the court.