Moussa Diabate and LaMelo Ball (Photo by Imagn Images)

Moussa Diabate Keeps It Real About LaMelo Ball’s Driving Skills With Savage One-Liner

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Kenny Nosay | Last updated Mar 27, 2026 1:18 AM ET

LaMelo Ball’s game might be maturing, but that doesn’t mean that other aspects in his life have improved drastically. For instance, teammate Moussa Diabate stated that he won’t be sharing a car ride with the team’s star point guard anytime soon.

More than a month ago, Ball was involved in a car crash in downtown Charlotte. He crashed his customized 2022 Hummer into an unsuspecting Kia sedan. And he was spotted quickly leaving the crash scene unharmed.

Moussa Diabate knows all too well how LaMelo Ball is behind the wheel and said he will never hitch a ride with him.

“Have you ever been in a car driven by LaMelo Ball?” Zach Lowe asked. Moussa Diabate immediately replied, “Hell nah, never will.”

“Have you ever been in a car driven by LaMelo Ball?”

Moussa Diabate: “Hell nah, never will.”

(h/t @HornetsReddit, @ClutchPoints)

pic.twitter.com/tIKEih9WPf
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 26, 2026

Maybe the only thing that Diabate will allow Melo to drive is the Charlotte Hornets offense. After a slow start this season, the team is inching towards a top-six finish in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Hornets are currently in the ninth spot in the East, but only a game and a half behind sixth place and a guaranteed playoff berth.

LaMelo Ball’s Maturity Getting Noticed

If we look at the numbers, people might say that LaMelo Ball is currently having a down year. However, this might be the most productive season for him, given the improvement his team has made under his direction. And people have noticed his maturity, including basketball analyst Bill Simmons.

LaMelo Ball (Image Credits: Imagn)

“LaMelo Ball is a real winner this season. He’s actually had seasons with better ‘stats.’ This is a classic eye test; you have to watch it. I love the way he’s playing… there’s real thoughtfulness in how he’s playing the point guard position now and how he’s not as risky and reckless as he was. He doesn’t seem like he’s in an AND1 tournament anymore,” Simmons said.

Can the Hornets make some noise in the 2026 playoffs? One thing’s for sure, they won’t be taken lightly should they make the first round of the postseason.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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