LaMelo Ball is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. He plays for the Charlotte Hornets, his NBA drafting team.
In 2022, he was named an NBA All-Star for the first time. The year before, he was named the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year. Prior to playing for the NBA, Ball played for the now-defunct Junior Basketball Association (JBA) and the National Basketball League.
He also played internationally for the Lithuanian basketball club, BC Prienai.
| Team |
Charlotte Hornets
|
| Position | Point Guard |
| Height / weight | 2.01 m / 82 kg |
| Born | 22 Aug 2001 |
| Nationality |
United States
|
| Playing Style | Right Handed |
| Nickname | Melo |
| Team History | |
|
Charlotte
|
2020 - present |
Player Profile and Personal Life
LaMelo LaFrance Ball was born on August 22, 2001, in Anaheim, California. He stands 201 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 82 kg. He is a right-handed player and he plays the position of a point guard.
Both his father and his mother played basketball in college. His father, LaVar Ball is the founder of Big Baller Brand and the JBA. His brother LiAngelo Robert Ball is also a professional basketball player in the NBA G League. Like LaMelo, LiAngelo also played in the JBA. He has another brother, Lonzo Ball, who also plays in the NBA.
Career
Ball started playing basketball at a very young age. At the age of four, he was also already playing with much older opponents together with his older brothers LiAngelo and Lonzo. The three brothers continued to play basketball under Big Ballers VXT, which competed in several local games.
In high school, Ball played with Chino Hills High School for his freshman and sophomore years. During his time at Chino Hills, he played with his older brothers and helped the team win a state championship.
After a coaching dispute, Ball transferred to SPIRE Academy. This was right after joining the professional team of Lithuania and playing for the Junior Basketball Association. He finished his senior year at SPIRE and became a five-star recruit.
Instead of pursuing college basketball, he decided to join the National Basketball League and play for Illawarra Hawks. In 2019, he became the league’s Rookie of the Year and by 2020, he was the third overall pick of the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA Draft.
Ball’s season premiere in the NBA and with the Hornets made him the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year. Aside from this recognition, he was also named NBA All-Rookie First Team.
In 2022, he was named an NBA All-Star. He was an injury replacement for Kevin Durant.
In addition to playing professional basketball, Ball also advertises his signature shoe brand, the Big Baller Brand. He also is part of the Ball in the Family, a reality show that can be accessed via Facebook Watch. He got all the media and national attention after people saw him and his brothers playing together in high school.
In 2023, he changed his Jersey Number from 2 to 1. He also became the youngest player in the history of the NBA to reach 1000 points, 1000 rebounds, and 1000 assists in his career. In February, he fractured his ankle and was ruled out indefinitely. In July 2023, he signed a contract extension with the team.
Career Highlights
- 2022 - NBA All-Star
- 2021 - NBA Rookie of the Year
- 2021 - NBA All-Rookie First Team
- 2020 - NBL Rookie of the Year
- 2018 - JBA champion
- 2018 - JBA All-Star
People Ask
Where was LaMelo Ball born?
He was born in Anaheim, California in the United States of America.
How tall is LaMelo Ball?
He is 201 cm or 6 feet and 7 inches tall.
What position does LaMelo Ball play?
He is a point guard.
