NBA Draft news: Illawarra star LaMelo Ball foot injury conspiracy
The Illawarra Hawks have responded to claims from NBL legends that prospective No.1 NBA draft pick LaMelo Ball has played his last game in Australia.
Illawarra Hawks owner Simon Stratford has shot down conspiracy theories surrounding US superstar LaMelo Ball, declaring he will finish the NBL season despite suffering a foot injury.
Question marks over Ball’s future in the NBL were raised when the Hawks confirmed the star import looks set to miss up to a month.
This news sparked speculation that the potential No.1 pick could leave early and return to America to prepare for the 2020 NBA draft.
But Stratford said Ball would continue his development with the Hawks, where he recorded back-to-back triple-doubles before his injury.
“He is committed to the Hawks for the rest of the season,” Stratford said of Ball.
“He or his camp haven’t said anything different regarding his commitment to his teammates.
“I would be very surprised if they leave early as all he wants to do is play basketball to get better and stronger.”
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However, two NBL legends have cast doubt over the severity over the foot injury, warning it could end Ball’s exciting Australian stint.
Speaking on News Corp’s The Basketball Show, Australian basketball royalty Shane Heal said the injury was a smokescreen.
Ball missed the Hawks’ 10-point loss to Brisbane over the weekend and has now been ruled out until January, but Heal – and co-host, former Sydney Kings star turned commentator Steve Carfino – believes it is purely down to his improved prospects of taking the No.1 pick in next year’s NBA draft.
“He came here, outside the top five, and week by week we watched him flourish and continue to get better and better,” Heal said.
“Now he’s said he’s injured. Is he injured? I’m not sure.”
Carfino agreed that the 18-year-old’s injury is far less serious than being portrayed, but both felt it was the right decision for a brilliant young point guard who is being touted as a No.1 pick.
Going No.1 is a life-changing proposition, bringing with it a major financial windfall – last year’s No.1 pick, Zion Williamson, is earning $US8,131,200 ($A11,916,029).
“I don’t really care – because you know what? If I was him, I wouldn’t play either,” Heal said.
“I’d be pulling the pin… that’s why we said a month ago – and people bagged us – that he wasn’t going to be here for Christmas.
“He’s not eating Christmas turkey here, that’s what we said. Not because we’re bagging him.
“If I was his dad (LaVar Ball) I’d be saying ‘pull up stumps now, pal because you’ve done what you had to do’.”
On Monday, the NBL confirmed Ball had bruised his foot during a recent practice – with the confirmation coming after Illawarra announced the signing of American forward Billy Preston as a replacement for the injured Sam Froling.
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Preston is the second import to sign with the Hawks in the past week, with former NBA swingman Darington Hobson set to make his debut next Monday.
Hobson, himself, was signed as a replacement for the injured Aaron Brooks.
Numerous draft pundits predict the 20-year-old could be the No.1 overall pick.
The NBL Next Star has averaged 17 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 31 minutes per game so far for the Hawks.
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