LaMelo Ball Biography: Early Life , Career and Stats

LaMelo LaFrance Ball is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by Charlotte Hornets with the 3rd overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft.

LaMelo Ball is the son of former basketball player LaVar Ball. LaMelo was trained by his father. In his freshman year, LaMelo started playing basketball for Chino Hills High School in Chino Hills, California. He was teammates with his two older brothers Lonzo and LiAngelo and his cousin Andre Ball. He used to play against players older than him. In his debut game for Chino Hills High School, he scored 27 points as a starter. Later, he helped his team win the CIF Open Division state championship. His school ended the championship with a 35-0 record. LaMelo’s exploits in his freshman season earned him the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year 2016.

Next year, Oak Hill Academy ended Chino Hills’ unbeaten record. In the next game, LaMelo scored a record 92 points in a victory over Los Osos High School. Due to his father’s disapproval over the new coach of his high school, LaMelo signed with Lithuanian Basketball League team BC Prienai with his brother LiAngelo. He became the youngest American to sign a professional contract. Four months later, LaMelo left Prienai due to a lack of playing time. 

Ball signed with Los Angeles Ballers of the Junior Basketball Association, a new league started by his father as an alternative to college basketball. LaMelo was the marquee signing of the league. In his debut game, he managed a triple-double of 40 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Against New York Ballers in the playoff semis, he posted a season-high 55 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists. 

In 2019, LaMelo signed with Australian side Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League on a two-year contract. His contract included an NBA out clause. In his debut NBL game, he scored 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. He assumed a much important role after the injury to Aaron Brooks. On November 25, Ball recorded a season-high 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists and thus became the youngest NBL player to record a triple-double. In the next match, LaMelo recorded another triple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. He became the fourth player in the league history to score two consecutive triple-doubles. Next month, he got injured for four weeks. In January, he decided to remain sidelined for the remainder of the season. He returned to the USA and started preparing for the 2020 NBA draft. 

In the 2020 NBA Draft, LaMelo was the third overall pick by Charlotte Hornets. However, he made his debut in December as he featured from the bench against Hornets’ loss to Cleveland and went scoreless. On January 9th, at the age of 19, he became the youngest NBA player to record a triple-double. He has 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in Charlotte’s win against Atlanta. For his exploits in December and January, he was named Eastern Conference’s Rookie of the month. On 1st February, he made his first start of the NBA regular season in a 129-121 points victory over Miami Heats. He was again named Rookie of the month for February. Next month, he fractured his right wrist against Los Angeles Clippers was ruled out indefinitely. 

Career Stats

Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL)

National Basketball League (NBL)

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Profile