LaMelo Ball

Background

LaMelo LaFrance Ball was born on August 22, 2001, in Chino Hills, California, United States. Ball’s father, LaVar Ball, began training him in basketball as soon as he could walk because his parents both had professional basketball experience. When he was four years old, he started playing basketball with his elder brothers, Lonzo and LiAngelo, and he fought considerably older opponents. He played flag football with his brothers when he was five years old, but he preferred basketball. In 2013, when he was in the seventh grade, Ball started playing basketball with his siblings on Big Ballers V.TX, a 17-and-under Amateur Athletic Union team that was established and coached by his parents. The squad, which was not sponsored by a significant shoe business, chose to participate in regional events rather than elite A.A.U. circuits.

In his freshman season, Ball played for Chino Hills High School in California. He shared MaxPreps ‘National Freshman of the Year’ honors with his teammate, Onyeka Okongwu. Ball scored 92 points in a game against Los Osos High School, the second-most single-game points in California high school history. On December 7, he signed with agent Harrison Gaines to play professionally overseas alongside his brother LiAngelo. Most recruiting services rated him as a five-star prospect and one of the top point guards in his class. When he returned to high school in November 2018, he expressed interest in playing college basketball. Ball was ruled ineligible for the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game due to his professional experience. He explored alternative options, including prep school, the N.B.A. G League, and professional leagues in Australia and China.

Ball was picked third overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020 N.B.A. Draft. He has the youngest contract for a professional basketball player in American history. On November 25, Ball notched a season-high 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. On January 9, he recorded a triple-double, making history as the N.B.A.’s youngest player ever. In a 126-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on January 30, Ball scored a then-career-high 27 points, five rebounds, nine assists, and four steals. Ball was selected February’s Rookie of the Month after averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists throughout 13 games. He was selected for his first N.B.A. All-Star Game as Kevin Durant’s injury substitute.