LaVar Ball guarantees LaMelo will win NBA Rookie of the Year award

Any member of the 2020 NBA Draft class could end up being named Rookie of the Year this coming season, but LaVar Ball knows one player could be the clear-cut favorite. 

In fact, a totally unbiased Ball told TMZ Sports this week, unsurprisingly, that he "guarantees" his son LaMelo Ball will take home the hardware. 

"Teaming up with Michael Jordan and you can't get rookie of the year?? Are you crazy?!" Ball said. 

LaVar's prediction isn't completely farfetched, either. LaMelo was, at one point, considered to be the best player available in the 2020 draft. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors passed on him, making him the Charlotte Hornets' pick at third overall. 

LaMelo's path to the NBA was far different than many prospects. He played in Lithuania and more recently for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia. The point guard averaged 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 12 games for the Hawks. 

It's not going to be easy for LaMelo to win Rookie of the Year. The Hornets have some nice depth with Terry Rozier, Devonte' Graham, Nic Batum, Miles Bridges, Malik Monk and Gordon Hayward, who recently signed a four-year, $120 million deal with the club. He'll likely be battling for playing time and might not even be a starter this season. 

It also should be noted that LaVar made the same prediction for his son Lonzo Ball, who was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017. Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons won the award, and Lonzo, who now plays for the New Orleans Pelicans, didn't receive a single vote.