Report: LaMelo Ball set to join NBL on ‘Rising Stars’ deal
The son of one of the most divisive figures in American sport is ‘bringing his talents to the NBL’ with LaMelo Ball announcing he will use the Illawarra Hawks as a springboard to the NBA.
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The NBL is about to get a little bit more star power, with LaMelo Ball to bring his talents to Australia.
Fresh off the back of top-five NBA draft prospect RJ Hampton joining the New Zealand Breakers last month, the NBL is ready to make another splash by landing the brother of recently traded NBA star Lonzo Ball — and son of motormouth basketball dad Lavar Ball.
"I'm trying to be the No. 1 pick for the 2020 draft."
— ESPN (@espn) June 17, 2019
LaMelo Ball announces on The Jump with @Rachel__Nichols that he will play in Australia's NBL for the Illawarra Hawks next season. pic.twitter.com/G9z4bCl4E5
Ball announced his decision to join the Hawks live on The Jump on ESPN early Tuesday morning and declared: “I think this is the best route for me. I’m trying to be the number one pick for the 2020 (NBA) Draft.”
NBL Chief Executive Jeremy Loeliger said: “LaMelo is one of the most exciting and talked about young players in the basketball world and he is going to create enormous interest wherever he goes while he’s playing here in the Hungry Jack’s NBL.
“We’re thrilled he is going to come to Australia and develop his talents with the Illawarra Hawks as part of our Next Stars program on his way to what we all hope will be a long and successful career in the NBA.
A whole new Ball game.
— NBL (@NBL) June 17, 2019
LaMelo Ball (@MELOD1P) will be joining the @illawarrahawks as another Next Star in #NBL20 ✨
More at https://t.co/lAL6G6jSoo pic.twitter.com/WPgjNhcrQY
“Together with RJ Hampton, he will help attract more attention to the NBL, both in terms of fans and importantly NBA scouts. All of those scouts are also going to have the opportunity to see the rest of the incredible talent on display here in the NBL.”
LaMelo Ball said: “ I am excited to be a part of the NBL’s Next Stars program and to join the Illawarra Hawks team. The NBL is a really solid league, with great coaches and players, and I am looking forward to putting all my focus and energy into basketball and getting to work.
“I believe this will be an amazing opportunity for me as I continue in my journey toward fulfilling my dream of playing in the NBA.”
“[LaMelo] … is going to be the No. 1 pick in 2020. Cause he’s that good.â€
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 17, 2019
—LaVar Ball pic.twitter.com/pasKHmsztW
Last month Ball set tongues wagging in basketball circles when he responded to a prompt from Hampton on Twitter.
“So (LaMelo), watchu gonna do?” Hampton asked, after signing with the Breakers.
Ball responded: “let me speak wit my peoples”.
The Ball family is among the most recognisable in American sport, largely because of their outspoken father Lavar.
👀 let me speak wit my peoples 💯 https://t.co/yzapUget4r
— Melo (@MELOD1P) May 31, 2019
He was in the news again this week, lashing the Los Angeles Lakers for trading former No.2 pick Lonzo Ball to the New Orleans Pelicans in a megadeal to land All-Star Anthony Davis.
“I guarantee ... it will be the worst move the Lakers ever did in their life and they will never win another championship,” LaVar Ball said.
“Guarantee it.
“They’re going to regret it, I’m going to have fun.
“I told y’all it was crashing down — now it completely crashed. But at least my son got off the boat before the thing exploded.
“I gave them the chance ... I said if you get the three Ball brothers you’re going to survive this. You let ‘em go? Oh, it’s going to be a cold day in hell.”
Originally published as Report: LaMelo Ball set to join NBL on ‘Rising Stars’ deal
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