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Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball's unorthodox path to the NBA only makes sense for a player of his one-of-a-kind upbringing and style of play. After playing high school basketball as a 14-year-old and being banned from playing at the NCAA level, he joined the Lithuanian team BC Vytautas to continue his career.
Around this point, the stock for LaMelo began to drop. The Hornets floor general barely played and was described as a lazy, undisciplined player. His chances at the NBA looked grim as he toiled away overseas and in the Junior Basketball Association, which was established by his father, LaVar Ball. Despite this bizarre path—or, even partially because of it—LaMelo achieved stardom with the Hornets and established himself as one of the game's brightest stars.
He told SLAM Magazine's Franklyn Calle that spending time in Lithuania humbled him and got his mental state in the right place before playing in New Zealand and for the Hornets.
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“Honestly, after Lithuania, I didn’t give a fuck where I got drafted to,” the Hornets star said. “The beds? You roll off to the left, you fall off. You roll off to the right, you fall off. M***********g calves hanging off the bed—not feet, calves hanging off the bed! It was bad, bro. Once you get through that, it was like, I don’t care where y’all put me in. As long as I’m in the States and I got water, I’m good.”
LaMelo is averaging 20.0 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.8 rebounds per game. After winning the Rookie of the Year award and being named an All-Star in his second season, it's clear that his time playing in difficult environments had its benefits. He is leading the Hornets as they navigate the playoff picture and posting some historic numbers in the process.
