Future Watch: LaMelo Ball Basketball Cards, Charlotte Hornets – Few NBA prospects have entered the league in recent years being compared to multiple siblings in the spotlight, but LaMelo Ball is most interesting in his areas of similarity and difference to them.
Like his older brother Lonzo, LaMelo is noted for his tremendous court vision. Like Lonzo, the extent of the development of his offensive game will dictate whether he has a very high NBA ceiling, with the family’s middle son, LiAngelo, presently out of the league.
Unlike Lonzo, but like LiAngelo, LaMelo traveled overseas in lieu of the traditional one year of college seasoning. Unlike LiAngelo, LaMelo chose Australia instead of Lithuania, competing for the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL.
At 6-6, LaMelo, like Lonzo, is a valued commodity as a large point guard in a league that increasingly prizes positional versatility. He additionally projects as a player able to guard shooting guards and small forwards. That versatility will serve him well as he enters a Charlotte backcourt with two starting small guards: Devonte’ Graham, a traditional point guard, and Terry Rozier, a shooting guard in a point guard’s body.
The Hornets have had a roster in flux in recent seasons and with a seeming commitment to grow with young players, there wasn’t much to stop LaMelo from becoming a top offensive option early if his skills warranted the opportunity – until, that is, the team deviated from that direction by signing Gordon Hayward before the season and installing him as the top dog. As such, LaMelo’s opportunities to grow won’t come in a straight line.
A scoreless opening game against Cleveland yielded alarm, but his 22-point eruption (with four treys in five attempts) against Dallas on December 30 seems closer to what his team can expect.
Even before his offensive game reaches full bloom, LaMelo Ball’s playmaking will keep him at the forefront of fan interest in the NBA.
Future Watch: LaMelo Ball Basketball Cards, Charlotte Hornets – Stats
| Season | Age | Tm | Lg | Pos | G | GS | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | 2P | 2PA | 2P% | eFG% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 19 | CHO | NBA | PG | 6 | 0 | 23.0 | 4.0 | 9.5 | .421 | 1.8 | 4.3 | .423 | 2.2 | 5.2 | .419 | .518 | 1.7 | 2.3 | .714 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 11.5 |
| Career | NBA | 6 | 0 | 23.0 | 4.0 | 9.5 | .421 | 1.8 | 4.3 | .423 | 2.2 | 5.2 | .419 | .518 | 1.7 | 2.3 | .714 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 11.5 |
Future Watch: LaMelo Ball Basketball Cards, Charlotte Hornets – Other Resources
- LaMelo Ball NBA.com Player Profile
- LaMelo Ball – Secondary Market Pricing
- Beckett Card Catalog – LaMelo Ball Basketball Cards
Future Watch: LaMelo Ball Basketball Cards, Charlotte Hornets – Image Gallery
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