LaMelo Ball will come into the NBA with high expectations. The 6-foot-7 point guard is seen as a near-lock to go in the top five of the upcoming NBA Draft if not No. 1 overall.
However, while the youngest Ball brother will enter the league with high expectations from media, coaches, and even his own family, it all pales in comparison to the goal that the 18-year-old has set for himself.
“15 years from now I want to be the best to ever play the game,” Ball told Christopher Riley of GQ Australia.
While Ball's goals are certainly lofty, a long 6-foot-7 frame, a confident shooting stroke plus unmatched vision, topped by off-the-charts basketball IQ have pushed Ball to the top of many draft boards.
Once a star at Chino Hills High School alongside his two older brothers LiAngelo and Lonzo (now with the New Orleans Pelicans), LaMelo took his game to the Australian NBL this season rather than the NCAA.
Playing in a professional league against grown men, Ball impressed and in 12 games, the heralded prospect averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game before a foot injury cost him the rest of the season.
Despite the injury and some concerns over his efficiency, Ball was a star for the Illawarra Hawks and his potential is too much for most teams to overlook. And although LaMelo's father may have a dream of all three Ball brothers playing together in the NBA, the youngest sibling isn't too concerned about where he lands on draft day.
“It’s the NBA so I will play for any team,” LaMelo said. “To play with Lonzo would be real cool. We talked about that growing up so it’ll be a dream come true.”
If the NBA Draft goes on as scheduled, Ball will hear his name called early on June 25 this year.
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