Hornets veteran shares praise for LaMelo Ball

When you think of injury-hit young stars, LaMelo Ball's name is usually near the top of that list. 

The Charlotte Hornets guard has played in fewer than 50 games in each of his last three seasons, with 47 appearances this past season. His only fully healthy campaign resulted in his lone All-Star selection back in 2022. 

Despite his injury struggles, Ball is still just 23 years old. He's young enough to get his career back on track and prove himself as one of the premier draws in the NBA. And, according to his veteran teammate, Grant Williams, that is exactly what he's aiming to do this summer.

"He’s in there every single day," Williams told Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. "He’s there and present, and I think he is somebody we can look to and see, like, ‘He’s actually putting the work in every single day, not this person who is away from us and claims to be doing the work.’ No, he’s doing it every single day. He’s doing every single workout, he’s being available." 

Ball isn't alone in his injury struggles. Brandon Miller, who was in his sophomore season with the Hornets during the 2024-25 campaign, also struggled with injuries, suiting up just 27 times. The young backcourt duo is the cornerstone of the Hornets' current rebuilding process. Therefore, it's essential that they not only get healthy but also find ways to stay on the court. Williams himself was also limited to just 16 games due to injury.

Charlotte's hope will undoubtedly be that a healthy roster positions it for greater success than in recent years. Charles Lee has some high-level young talent at his disposal, with Ball being front and center. 

If everyone can stay on the court, the Hornets may have a shot at pushing for a spot in the play-in tournament. Ball will have a huge role to play in that quest. 

However, if injury issues continue to impact Ball's availability, the Hornets may need to begin asking questions about his long-term viability as the franchise's leading star. 

The fan base will likely be hoping that his offseason work at the Hornets facility pays off next season and helps establish a new culture within the franchise. A culture that could lead to sustained improvement, progress and potentially some success further down the line.