The Charlotte Hornets look to have hit a home run when they selected point guard LaMelo Ball with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball was already a household name by the time the Hornets selected him as the youngest son of LaVar Ball. His oldest brother, Lonzo Ball, is now the starting point guard with the Chicago Bulls and LiAngelo Ball, the middle brother, played for the Hornets’ Summer League team.
LaMelo took a peculiar path to the NBA. He played professionally in Lithuania at 16-years old, which complicated his eligibility for college. When he returned home, he enrolled at SPIRE Academy. Not able to play collegiately, he took his talents overseas, playing in Australia, in the same league as R.J. Hampton, before entering the NBA Draft.
Ball had an excellent rookie season. He averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 28.8 minutes per game. He appeared in 51 games, starting 31 of them. That was enough to take home Rookie of the Year honors.
It is clear that Ball has star potential. Charlotte is hoping that he can reach those heights and will help turn things around for their franchise. One anonymous NBA scout that talked to Evan Massey of NBA Analysis Network believes Ball is in for a huge sophomore season.
“LaMelo (Ball) has gotten stronger, more confident, and has worked hard on his ability to create his own shot. I’m expecting him to take a big second-year leap. The Hornets are in good hands with Ball at the point.”
Listed 6’6” and possibly still growing, Ball has a distinct advantage over most other point guards. He can see right over most of the players that are defending him, making it easier for him to read the defense and react to what they are trying to do.
He has elite ball-handling skills and is an excellent passer, much like his brother, Lonzo. He has the length to turn into a pesky defender as Lonzo is, but the offensive games are much different. LaMelo is much further along when it comes to shot creation and shot-making than Lonzo was at this stage in his career.
Once he continues filling out and getting stronger, he will be that much more difficult to stop. There will likely be plenty of All-Star game appearances in Ball’s future. The Hornets are hoping they can find as much success as a team as LaMelo looks capable of having individually.
