LaMelo Ball hopes to make a significant impact in his rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets, and it sounds like the team expects him to do just that based on what he has shown in training camp.
In advance of Charlotte’s season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, a Hornets source told ESPN’s Jordan Schultz that he has been blown away by Ball’s court awareness. The source also raved about the way the 19-year-old has carried himself.
The “baggage” that was referred to probably has more to do with LaMelo’s father, LaVar, who is extremely outspoken and fancies himself a reality TV star. The elder Ball recently unloaded on the Detroit Pistons for releasing his other son LiAngelo.
LaMelo is a raw prospect, which was to be expected considering he is just 19 and played overseas before he was drafted. His shooting was erratic during the preseason, but teammates and head coach James Borrego have gushed about Ball’s playmaking ability.
While there will be some growing pains with Ball, the Hornets clearly think he can be special. LaMelo is going to be given plenty of opportunities to show what he can do as a rookie.
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