Examine ESPN’s latest mock draft and you’ll find a surprising name near the top of the list. ESPN draft guru Jonathan Givony has LaMelo Ball going No. 3 overall in his latest piece and hears that Ball might end up being in contention for the No. 1 overall pick next summer.
“If he keeps this up, I don’t see any way he isn’t in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick,” one NBA executive told Givony. “He completely changed my perception of the type of prospect he is, and all of the background info I gathered here from his coaches and teammates paint a very different story of what I thought about him off the court as well.”
Ball, who is the younger brother of Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, is spending the year playing for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s NBL. Many around the Australian league believed the club was taking a big risk bringing in Ball, whose father has been deemed a media distraction in the past. However, it’s been all positive for Ball in Australia and scouts are raving about his game.
“He reminds me of Luka Doncic,” a scout said. “Just in terms of his size, his feel and his creativity…He plays with incredible pace. He’s never sped up. He’s never rattled by anything that’s thrown at him…You’re expecting something magical to happen every time he has the ball. He sees everything. He can make every pass with either hand off a live dribble. His style of play is tailor-made for the NBA game, especially if you surround him with shooting and better finishers.”
The NBL doesn’t have the kind of talent found in the NCAA, though Ball is playing alongside fellow NBA prospect R.J. Hampton abroad. The league continues to grow and with that, comes an increased level of play.
Washington big man Isaiah Stewart, Memphis center James Wiseman, and Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards are among the prospects expected to compete for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft. As for point guards, Ball is currently viewed as the best available.
“It’s a talented field,” an executive tells Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. “But he’s got the most potential.”
Still wouldn’t take him, baggage is too great.
Lavar is an idiot but when was the last time you heard anything from him? I wouldn’t take a less talented player purely because of Lavar.
Just last week he and Lonzo we’re in the news arguing back and forth regarding the big baller brand.
So what?
The guy above said we haven’t heard anything from lavar in a while. I pointed out that Lavar was in the news just this last week. That’s all.
Lol wouldn’t take him?
It’s the LaMelo Ball Draft… Ain’t no one else even in it.
Was it him or the other one who stole sun glasses in China?
Gelo. The lesser known Ball
Gelo Ball lol. 2010s version of the pudding pop.
Legit LOL!!
Badda Bing!
Whoever drafts him should work a restraining order against his dad into the contract.
I hope dad is smart enought this time to shut up, and be thankful he was able to raise two sons who made it to the NBA. Let them go pops
When do you hear from Lavar anymore?
Lonzo has distanced himself from the BBB brand, and all is quiet on the LaMelo front. I don’t see any reason for not taking this guy first overall if he has the most talent.
He’ll
Be
Back
(Lavar)
“MEDIA DISTRACTION” Lol!!!!!! The Media is a distraction. Very interesting choice of words.
Liangelo must feel like Cooper Manning
Lmao
Badda Bing!
I’m not a Ball fam expert, but he’s been up to 3 years away from dad Lavar or at least LA. Lonzo is not LA-based for the first time! I doubt Lavar will matter as much or will scare a team away.
Should be fun to watch, the PG bro battle.
Too be fair it doesn’t matter where either is based or where Lavar is, if Lavar wants to say something it will be covered by the media bc it generates clicks/views which means he generates money.
The NBL may or may not have the talent that the NCAA has… but instead of playing against kids, LaMelo will play against men, which is much more formative & will make him a better player than if he stayed in college playing against talented but inexperienced kids.
ATTN NBA GM’s CONSIDERING DRAFTING LEMELO BALL:
**STAY IN YOUR LANE**
Here we go again
“Scout” aka Lavar