Does tapioca naturally form into balls?

No. After it’s rendered into a flour, it can be further made into flakes or bubbles.

Also, tapioca flour can be added to used as a thickener for soups and burger, as well as a portion of wheat flour in cakes.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cassava/tapioca-plant-uses.htm