Possible LaMelo Ball exit has Illawarra Hawks in damage control, says Shane Heal
NBA Draft prospect LaMelo Ball has captured the attention of world basketball with his move to the NBL, but the Illawarra Hawks star may not be around for much longer.
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Illawarra fans may have to begin planning farewell preparations for US star LaMelo Ball with the star guard facing a likely return home before Christmas.
The strong NBA Draft prospect has captured the attention of the Australian public since signing with the Hawks for the 2019/20 NBL season.
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Ball has impressed without setting the competition alight in a struggling side, but his stint Down Under may be short lived according to The Basketball Show host and Sydney Kings legend Shane Heal.
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“You just get that feeling that it’s unlikely LaMelo Ball will be here for the year,” Heal said.
“I don’t think there is any way that he is having any roast turkey in Australia for Christmas Day, I think he is back home.”
Ball is likely to have played 12 rounds if he was to leave prior to Christmas.
While the loss of Ball would be disappointing for the game in Australia, it spells disaster for Illawarra who are anchored to the bottom of the ladder with just one win in eight attempts.
Heal says the franchise face a brutal back end to the season if Ball departs as tipped, particularly with fellow US import Aaron Brooks missing the remainder of the year with an ACL injury.
“They are going through a really tough time. The big thing for Matt Flynn right now is he is trying to get a replacement player for Brooks,” he said.
“It’ll be a real balancing act as to whether he goes for a two man, whether he has to go for a guard that’s a combo if LaMelo leaves early, and what sort of player he gets with that.
“It’s a big challenge for the Illawarra Hawks, it’s hard to see them winning too many games unless they get a bona fide superstar.”