Ball began high school atChino Hills High School inChino Hills, California, where he won a state championship and achieved national success as a freshman with his older brothersLonzo andLiAngelo. Before his junior season, a coaching dispute prompted him to leave Chino Hills and sign with Lithuanian professional teamPrienai. In 2018, he played in theJunior Basketball Association (JBA), a league created by his father, before returning to high school as a senior with SPIRE Academy inGeneva, Ohio. Ball was a five-starrecruit and committed toUCLA, but chose to forgo college basketball amid eligibility concerns and play in Australia for theIllawarra Hawks of theNational Basketball League (NBL) in 2019. There he had a meteoric rise. Previously, scouts had marked Ball as a second-round pick and potentially never playing in the NBA. However, his success led him to be selected third overall by the Hornets in the 2020 draft.
Ball was born inAnaheim, California toLaVar and Tina Ball, who were both former college basketball players.[2]
Ball was trained inbasketball by his father, LaVar, as soon as he could walk.[3] At age four, he started playing the sport with his older brothers,Lonzo andLiAngelo, facing much older opponents. He also playedflag football with his brothers at age five but continued to focus on basketball.[4] In 2013, while in seventh grade, Ball began playing with his brothers on Big Ballers VXT, a 17-and-underAmateur Athletic Union (AAU) team launched and coached by his parents.[5] The team, which was not sponsored by a major shoe company, did not compete in top AAU circuits and instead took part in local competitions.[6]
On December 26, 2016, Ball made national headlines for making a half-court shot two seconds into a game.[13][14][15] On February 4, 2017, he suffered his first high school loss despite scoring a game-high 36 points, withOak Hill Academy ending Chino Hills' 60-game win streak.[16][17] In his next game, on February 7, Ball scored 92 points in a win overLos Osos High School, the second-most single-game points in California high school history.[18][19] He was criticized by analysts forcherry picking, as he often waited near half court to get an open shot on his next possession instead of defending.[20] Ball finished the season averaging 26.7 points and almost 10 assists per game, earning MaxPreps Sophomore All-American first team recognition.[21] On July 27, he featured in an AAU game against five-star recruitZion Williamson that was featured in national sports media.[22]
On October 2, 2017, before his junior season, Ball left Chino Hills to behomeschooled because his father disapproved of newly appointed head coach Dennis Latimore and school administration.[23] On December 7, he signed with agentHarrison Gaines to play professionally overseas alongside his brother LiAngelo.[24] The decision indicated that he would not play college basketball.[25] In the following days, Gaines offered the brothers to professional teams in various European countries and in Japan.[26][27][28][29]
Senior season (2018–2019)
Ball with SPIRE Academy at the Flyin' to the Hoop Invitational in January 2019
On November 5, 2018, after skipping his junior year and a part of his senior year to play professionally, Ball joined SPIRE Institute and Academy, aprep school inGeneva, Ohio, where he played under head coachJermaine Jackson.[30][31] SPIRE competed outside the jurisdiction of theOhio High School Athletic Association, allowing Ball to play without concerns over his amateur status.[32] A number of prominent high school teams canceled their match-ups with SPIRE because Ball's professional experience would threaten their eligibility under their state federations.[33] His team was removed from the Hoophall Classic tournament because event organizers did not meet a $10,000 request from a Ball family associate in order for Ball to play.[34] On November 10, 2018, Ball debuted for SPIRE, recording 20 points, 13 assists and five rebounds in a 96–84 win overThe Hill School.[35] Ball helped his team reach the final and was named season MVP.[36] He was ruled ineligible for the2019 McDonald's All-American Game due to his professional experience.[37]
Recruiting
Ball verbally committed to play college basketball forUCLA at age 13, before starting high school,[38][39] becoming the third of his brothers to commit to the school.[38] Ball, who was also recruited byVirginia and Washington State at the time, said that UCLA was his "dream school."[40] He emerged as a toprecruit in the 2019 class during his sophomore season in high school.[41] Most recruiting services considered him a five-star recruit and one of the top point guards in his class.[42][43] When Ball returned to high school after a professional stint in 2018, he remained a five-star recruit.[44]
The 2017 release of Ball's Melo Ball 1 signature shoe byBig Baller Brand, his family's sports apparel company, threatened his eligibility under theNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).[45][46] Ball's father ignored the concerns and considered having his son skip college for that reason.[46] Ball's signing of an agent and his professional experience further imperiled his NCAA eligibility.[32] Despite questions surrounding his eligibility, which discouraged majorNCAA Division I programs from recruiting him, he expressed interest in playing college basketball upon his return to high school in November 2018.[44][47] In the following months, however, Ball explored alternative options, including prep school, theNBA G League and professional leagues in Australia and China.[48][49][50]
Ball withPrienai at a London exhibition game in April 2018
On December 11, 2017, Ball signed withPrienai of theLithuanian Basketball League (LKL) with his brother, LiAngelo.[51] Ball reportedly became the youngest American to ever sign a professional basketball contract.[52] The brothers' move to Lithuania was heavily reported by American sports media.[53][54] Prienai withdrew from theBaltic Basketball League upon their arrival and took part in various exhibition games sponsored by Big Baller Brand.[55] On January 13, 2018, Ball made his professional debut, going scoreless in five minutes againstLietkabelis.[56] On February 4, he scored a season-high 19 points, with four three-pointers and six assists, in a loss toŽalgiris.[57] In an exhibition game toward the end of the month, he suffered a leg injury that sidelined him for a month.[58][59] On April 25, Ball left Prienai with his family, with his father criticizing the team's head coachVirginijus Šeškus, in part because Ball did not receive enough playing time.[60][61] He finished the LKL season averaging 6.5 points and 2.4 assists, shooting 26.8 percent from the field, in 12.8 minutes per game.[62]
Los Angeles Ballers (2018)
On May 4, 2018, Ball signed with theLos Angeles Ballers of theJunior Basketball Association (JBA), a new league created by his father as an alternative to college basketball, and was touted by the league as its "marquee player."[63][64] In his debut on June 21, he posted a triple-double of 40 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals, shooting 15-of-40 from the field, in a 134–124 win over theNew York Ballers.[65][66] Over eight regular season games, Ball averaged a triple-double with 39.6 points, 14.6 rebounds and 11.5 assists per game, while being named to the All-Star Game.[67] In the playoff semifinals versus the New York Ballers, he scored a season-high 55 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. He led Los Angeles to a JBA championship over theSeattle Ballers.[68] After the season, Ball was named to the league's select team, called JBA USA, which would face several European teams on an international tour.[69] On October 31, in an exhibition game versusDzūkija on the tour, he was ejected after slapping an opposing player in the face during a scuffle.[70] On November 5, he left the JBA tour to return to high school in the United States for his senior season.[30]
On June 17, 2019, Ball signed a two-year contract, including NBA out clauses, with theIllawarra Hawks of the Australian-basedNational Basketball League (NBL).[71] He joined the Hawks through the NBL Next Stars program, which aims to developNBA draft prospects.[72][73] In August 2019, after playing for No Shnacks at theDrew League, Ball was named Leader of the New School, an award honoring the league's top rookie.[74] For the NBL season, he moved to Australia with his former SPIRE Institute coachJermaine Jackson, who became his manager and helped him acclimate.[71] In late September, he had success at theNBL Blitz, a preseason tournament. He recorded 19 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in a preseason win over thePerth Wildcats.[75]
On October 6, in his first regular season game, Ball tallied 12 points, 10 rebounds and five assists on 6-of-17 shooting in a loss to theBrisbane Bullets.[76] He assumed a more important role following a season-ending injury to star point guardAaron Brooks on October 27.[77] Ball recorded a season-high 32 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists on November 25, in anovertime victory over theCairns Taipans, to become the youngest NBL player to record atriple-double.[78] In his next game, Ball posted another triple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists but was held to 10-of-28 shooting in a loss to theNew Zealand Breakers. He became the fourth player in league history, and the first since the NBL switched to 40-minute games in 2009, to record consecutive triple-doubles.[79][80]
On December 8, before he played another game, it was announced that he would miss about four weeks of action after bruising his foot in practice.[81] On January 16, 2020, while still sidelined, Ball decided to sit out for the remainder of the season.[82] He parted ways with the Hawks on January 28 to return to the United States and prepare for the2020 NBA draft. Through 12 NBL games, Ball averaged 17 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, shooting 37.7 percent from the field.[83] At the end of the season, he was namedNBL Rookie of the Year overKouat Noi by five votes (49–44).[84] Before playing in the NBL, Ball had been projected as a second-round pick or possibly being undrafted, solidifying himself during his time with the Hawks as projected top 3 pick and the potential first overall pick in the2020 NBA draft.[85]
Charlotte Hornets (2020–present)
2020–2021: Rookie of the Year
Ball was projected as the first overall pick in the2020 NBA draft. In the2020 NBA draft, which was held on November 18, 2020, Ball was selected with the third overall pick by theCharlotte Hornets.[86] He and his brother Lonzo, who was chosen No. 2 overall in the2017 draft, became the first set of brothers to both be drafted in the top 3 of theNBA draft.[87] After an up-and-down preseason, he began the regular season coming off the bench.[88] Ball made his debut on December 23, 2020, going scoreless along with one rebound, three assists and two steals in 16 minutes in a 121–114 loss to theCleveland Cavaliers.[89]
On January 8, 2021, against theNew Orleans Pelicans, Ball and Lonzo played in their first regulation game against each other at any level. Ball helped rally the Hornets from an 18-point deficit to a 118–110 win. He narrowly missed atriple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.[90] On January 9, at the age of 19 years old and 140 days, he became the youngest player in NBA history with a triple-double, putting up 22 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a 113–105 win against theAtlanta Hawks, a record that would later be broken byJosh Giddey.[91][92] On January 30, Ball recorded a then career-high 27 points, along with five rebounds, nine assists and four steals in a 126–114 win over theMilwaukee Bucks.[93] For his performance in December and January, Ball was awarded with Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month after averaging 12.2 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals over his first 21 games in the NBA.[94] On February 1, Ball made the first start of his career in a 129–121 victory over theMiami Heat. He finished the game with 14 points, five rebounds and seven assists.[95] On February 5, Ball recorded a then career-high 34 points, along with eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block in a 138–121 loss to theUtah Jazz. He also became the youngest player in franchise history to record a 30-point game.[96] He was named Rookie of the Month again for February after averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 13 games.[97] On March 21, Ball suffered a fractured bone in his right wrist in a loss against theLos Angeles Clippers and was listed as out indefinitely.[98][99] On April 19, Ball was cleared to resume basketball activities.[100][101] On May 1, Ball made his return from injury, putting up 11 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, in a 107–94 win against theDetroit Pistons.[102] After the season Ball was named the 2020–21NBA Rookie of the Year and was selected to theNBA All-Rookie First Team.[103][104]
2021–2022: First All-Star selection
In the Hornets'2021–22 season opener, Ball matched his career-high seven three-pointers, while putting up 31 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a 123–122 win over theIndiana Pacers.[105] On November 17, Ball put up 11 points and a career-high 14 assists in a 97–87 win over theWashington Wizards.[106] On December 1, Ball recorded a then career-high 36 points, along with nine assists, five rebounds and three steals in a 127–125 loss to theMilwaukee Bucks.[107] On February 2, 2022, Ball recorded a then career-high 38 points, along with nine assists and five rebounds, in a 113–107 loss to theBoston Celtics.[108] On February 7, Ball was named to his firstNBA All-Star Game as an injury replacement forKevin Durant.[109]
2022–2023: Season-ending injury
Ahead of the2022–23 NBA season, Ball changed his jersey number from the number 2 to the number 1.[110] On February 13, 2023, Ball recorded 30 points, six rebounds and a career-high-tying 15 assists in a 144–138 win over theAtlanta Hawks. He also became the first player in Hornets history to record at least 30 points, five rebounds and 15 assists in a game.[111] On February 16, Ball had 28 points, 10 assists and a season-high 12 rebounds in a 120–110 win over theSan Antonio Spurs. He became the second-youngest player in NBA history to reach 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists in his career, behind onlyLeBron James.[112] On February 27, during a 117–106 win over theDetroit Pistons, Ball suffered a non-contact right ankle injury. After the game, the Hornets announced that he had fractured his ankle and was ruled out indefinitely.[113] On March 1, Ball successfully underwent surgery to address his injury and was ruled out for the rest of the season.[114]
2023–2024: Contract extension
On July 6, 2023, Ball signed a contract extension with the Hornets.[115] On November 5, Ball put up a triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds in a 124–118 loss to theDallas Mavericks.[116]
2024–2025: Career high in scoring
On October 23, 2024, in the Hornets' season-opening game, Ball put up 34 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists in a 110–105 win over theHouston Rockets. Ball also became the first player in Hornets franchise history to drop at least 30 points and 10 assists in a season-opening game.[117] On November 23, Ball put up a career-high 50 points, five rebounds and 10 assists in a 125–119 loss to theMilwaukee Bucks. He became the third-youngest player in NBA history to score 50.[118] Ball followed up his 50-point performance against the Bucks by scoring 44 points in his very next game against theOrlando Magic in a 95–84 loss.[119]
Ball (right) with his fatherLaVar and brotherLiAngelo after playing in a London exhibition game forPrienai in April 2018
Ball is the youngest son ofLaVar and Tina (née Slatinsky) Ball, who are both former college basketball players. LaVar, who stands 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m), competed withWashington State and thenCal State Los Angeles. Tina, who stands 6 feet (1.83 m), also played with the latter school.[4] Later on, LaVar played professionalfootball as atight end for theLondon Monarchs of theWorld League of American Football after being loaned from theNew York Jets.[122] In 2017, LaVar became a popular but polarizing sports media personality, primarily for making outlandish remarks about the careers of himself and his sons.[123] Ball's cousin Andre plays college basketball forPepperdine.[124]
Since his freshman season in high school, Ball has drawn the attention of national sports outlets and established a large social media following.[125] By 2017, many analysts were calling him a celebrity.[125][126] Ball has a role in theFacebook Watch reality showBall in the Family, which was launched in August 2017 and documents the lives of his family members.[127][128][129] On June 26, 2017, Ball appeared on a segment ofWWE Raw with members of his family, during which he told his father, "Beat that nigga ass!"[130] TheWWE later apologized for his "inappropriate language."[131] Ball is the subject of arap single titled "Melo Ball 1" and released by his brother, Lonzo, on September 8, 2017.[132]
On August 31, 2017,Big Baller Brand, a sports apparel company launched by Ball's family in 2016, released a signature shoe for him called the Melo Ball 1 (MB1).[133][134] He became the youngest athlete to ever have a signature shoe.[135]
On May 21, 2024, Tamaria McRae filed a lawsuit, on behalf of her child, against Ball and the Charlotte Hornets, alleging Ball hit her son with his car while exiting theSpectrum Center after a fan event in early October 2023.[137] The family is asking for a sum of over $25,000 in compensatory damages from both Ball and the Hornets, and the litigation remains ongoing.[138]
In November 2024, Ball was fined $100,000 by the NBA after he used the phrase "no homo" in a post-game interview after the Hornets' 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. After issuing the fine, the NBA released a statement which described Ball's language as “offensive and derogatory”.[139]
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