Training camp is officially underway for rookie Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers. The young squad led by Ball and Brandon Ingram went through their first practice on Tuesday with the rookie standout already feeling the difference of the NBA game.

After going through his first practice under head coach Luke Walton, Ball talked about what he is working on as well as having to adjust to the physicality on the NBA level.

“I'm just trying to get stronger, man. Playing defense out here with grown men it's physical, especially guarding Julius [Randle] when he's coming down to the left. It's a lot of work, but just got to put that in and keep moving forward.”

Ball also talked about the comparison between his one year at UCLA to his first practice with the Lakers.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) handles the ball in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half at Frost Bank Center.
Lakers’ LeBron James’ hilarious Victor Wembanyama admission on eventual retirementJosh Davis ·
Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) drives to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) defends during the fourth quarter at FedExForum.
DeMarcus Cousins explains the Luka Doncic reason why Magic overpaid for Desmond BaneJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.
Draymond Green reveals why Lakers’ $10 billion sale makes them ‘dangerous’Julian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers small forward LeBron James (6) smiles from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
Lakers star LeBron James’ post-retirement plans linked to AmazonPreston Byers ·
LeBron James answers a question during an interview session with reporters during the Los Angeles Lakers media day at the UCLA Health Training Center.
Bill Simmons rips Lakers, Buss family with LeBron James bailout takePreston Byers ·
Lamar Odom Kobe Bryant
Lamar Odom praises Kobe Bryant on helping him with his gambling addictionAutumn Hawkins ·

“A lot more physical, but UCLA kind of prepared me pretty well for this since coach [Steve] Alford played in the league. So he was kind of like coach [Luke] Walton in a way.”

On Saturday, Ball will play the first preseason game of his career with the Lakers taking on the revamped Minnesota Timberwolves. Leading up to Saturday's game, the Lakers will continue their training camp with two-a-day practices at the new UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo.

Ball has only a few more days to adjust to this new physicality on the professional level with his teammates before facing the likes of Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns at the Honda Center on Sept. 30.

It'll be interesting to see how the 19-year-old handles the adjustment as well as all the pressure of being the new face of the Lakers franchise along with Ingram as they head into the 2017-18 campaign.