A closer look at LaMelo Ball, the Californian sensation
Sunshine, cone drills, thousands of shots, with one dream in mind. It didn’t matter the number of made shots on a shooting machine or the aggression imposed by his father, Lavar Ball. LaMelo Ball had one dream.
That dream started in the scorching temperatures of Chino Hills, California where Ball received training and coaching instruction at four years old from his father. Lavar, a former professional basketball and soccer player, always pushed his son to the limit.
The same intensity emanated from his brother Lonzo, whose currently in the NBA, and brother LiAngelo. Lavar noticed his son’s ability early on when he played for the family’s Big Ballers AAU team. He created the family’s first sports apparel brand “Big Baller Brand,” and also has a Facebook reality show, “Ball in the Family.”
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Glamour and attention were always there. It never affected him. Lamelo played on various AAU teams during childhood. But his stardom as an AAU star transcended any potential doubts people may have had. Doubts?
When LaMelo arrived at Chino Hills High School in his freshman year, he knew he had something to prove. Coming from a heavy basketball background, he knew the legacy he was following. And, in terms of proving himself, he didn’t have that much to prove.
In his debut against John Muir High School in 2015, Ball was a walking scoresheet. He had 27 points. But with a consistent 20-point scoring average, his talent soon started to catch national attention. Being a young recruit, LaMelo learned the convolution of recruiting from his older brothers. They all played together in high school.
Especially with all the hype that circumvented Lonzo during his tenure at UCLA. But in LaMelo’s mind, after winning a state championship, it was time to add more history to the family legacy. The walking scoresheet erupted for 92 points in a high school game at Chino Hills. That’s when everyone knew his game was more beautiful than your average beach attraction.
LaMelo opted out of his junior season at Chino Hills amid a coaching dispute. That dispute then led him to play professionally with Lithuanian professional team Prienai. Before then, Ball committed to UCLA. He then played in the (JBA) Junior Basketball League, a league created by his father. Afterward, he went back to high school in his senior year to play with SPIRE Institute in Ohio. The five-star recruit may have been indecisive, but his goal was to be next. The next what? The next BALLER in the BALL family.
He signed a two-year contract in 2019 with Australian-based Illawarra Hawks in the National Basketball League (NBL). His success in Australia gave him enough competence to pursue the ultimate dream. The NBA. Ball decided to go his separate ways earlier in January to focus on preparation and training for the 2020 NBA Draft. He was a household name overseas after being named NBL Rookie of the Year. But could he become a household star in his home country?
Becoming a household star in the NBA shouldn’t be a hard feat to conquer. Most of the 2020 NBA mock drafts have him projected as the top prospect in this year’s class. But he’s right there next to Obi Toppin, and Anthony Edwards. The lottery is just what it’s described as. A lottery of chance. Golden State, Cleveland, and Dallas all have a legitimate chance to secure the No. 1 pick. That battle for the No. 1 pick will take place tonight on ESPN.
What started as a California dream, has now turned into a possibility to become the No.1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Palm trees and beaches will always be there in California. A sensation with a strong basketball background.
It may have been talent initially, but now, it’s a full-time job. He may not be Lonzo or LiAngelo. He’s LaMelo. His dream wasn’t to be on beaches. It was to BALL in the NBA.