The NBA decided to skip this year's Rising Stars Game of the All-Star weekend, which robbed Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball of the opportunity to showcase his skills against the best and the brightest young stars in the league. The 19-year-old probably had this in mind as he took the floor for the first time after the mid-season break.

Ball picked up right where he left off prior to the All-Star break as he showed off early on Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons:

https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1370169533005144065?s=20

The Hornets youngster left his defender in the dust with a smooth crossover dribble and then went on to exhibit his upper body strength as he took the contact prior to scoring on a tough lay-up.

Ball then threw this insane one-handed cross-court pass to a wide-open Gordon Hayward who scored on an uncontested trey:

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Ball has been one of Charlotte's best players so far this season, and his outstanding play has been a key factor behind the Hornets' 17-18 start to the season. They are currently sitting on the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference and are well within the playoff picture.

Ball, the third pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, has emerged as the top player in his draft class, and plays like these are prime examples of why he is the frontrunner to this year's Rookie of the Year award.

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