LaMelo Ball arrives in Sydney to swarm of fans and media ahead of NBL season
He might just be the NBL’s most recognisable face worldwide — and he hasn’t even played a in the league game yet. LaMelo Ball touched down in Australia to a rousing reception from hoops fans and a huge media scrum.
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American teen sensation LaMelo Ball is yet to bounce a basketball in Australia but the excitement surrounding his Illawarra Hawks signing is already at fever pitch.
This was on show in spades when Ball arrived at Sydney airport on Saturday morning to officially start his Next Stars contract with the Hawks.
The younger brother of New Orleans NBA star Lonzo Ball, was swamped by fans and a hefty media scrum when he landed.
The 17-year-old point guard from Chino Hills in California shocked the hoops world in June when he announced live on ESPN in America that he would be foregoing college to “take his talents” to Australia’s NBL.
Ball is considered one of the most intriguing NBA prospects and is projected to be selected as a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
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He joins a list of prospects opting to play in the NBL on their path to the NBA, including Terrance Ferguson (Adelaide to OKC), Brian Bowen Jr (Sydney Kings to Indiana) and more recently R.J Hampton to the New Zealand Breakers.
LaMelo is often in the headlines thanks to his outspoken father, LaVar Ball.
The ex-basketballer and professional American footballer is regularly in the media talking about his sons.
Thankfully, LaMelo doesn’t need his father’s help to get attention.
The rising baller has 4.8 million followers on Instagram.
On the morning of his official Illawarra signing in June, the Hawks’ Instagram account increased from 9,000 to more than 22,000.
Former US president Barack Obama was among the new followers keen to monitor Ball’s move to Australia.
LaMelo will start training with Illawarra next week while he is expected to partake in the Hawks’ pre-season games starting in September.
Originally published as LaMelo Ball arrives in Sydney to swarm of fans and media ahead of NBL season
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