LaMelo Ball facts for kids
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Ball in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game
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| No. 1 – Minnesota Timberwolves | |
|---|---|
| Point guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | August 22, 2001 Anaheim, California, U.S. |
| High school |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA Draft | 2020 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall |
| Selected by the Charlotte Hornets | |
| Pro career | 2018–present |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| 2018 | Prienai |
| 2018 | Los Angeles Ballers |
| 2019–2020 | Illawarra Hawks |
| 2020–2026 | Charlotte Hornets |
| 2026–present | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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LaMelo LaFrance Ball (born August 22, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays as a point guard, a position that directs the team's offense like a quarterback in football. The Charlotte Hornets chose him with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.
Ball earned the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2021. He was later selected as an NBA All-Star in 2022.
Ball took an unusual path to the NBA. He first played high school basketball at Chino Hills High School in California alongside his older brothers. He helped his team win a state championship with a perfect record. Later, he gained experience playing overseas in Lithuania and Australia instead of following the traditional path of college basketball. His skill and passing vision helped him become one of the top basketball talents in the world.
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Early Life and Basketball Beginnings
LaMelo Ball was born on August 22, 2001, in Anaheim, California. His parents, LaVar and Tina Ball, were both college basketball players. Growing up in a basketball family, Ball began practicing as soon as he could walk.
At four years old, Ball started competing against older players alongside his older brothers, Lonzo and LiAngelo. He also played youth flag football at age five. However, basketball remained his primary focus.
In 2013, when Ball was in seventh grade, his parents started an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) club team called Big Ballers VXT. AAU basketball is a competitive youth basketball circuit where young athletes travel to play tournaments. Ball played against high school competition while still in middle school, which helped him develop quick decision-making skills.
High School Basketball Career
Freshman Season at Chino Hills (2015–2016)
Ball entered Chino Hills High School in California as a freshman in 2015. He joined the varsity basketball team alongside his brothers Lonzo and LiAngelo, as well as his cousin Andre Ball and future NBA player Onyeka Okongwu.
In his very first high school game, Ball scored 27 points as a starter. On March 5, 2016, he scored 26 points in a victory over Sierra Canyon School to capture the CIF Southern Section title.
Later that month, Ball scored 14 points in the state championship game against De La Salle High School. The Chino Hills Huskies finished the season with an undefeated 35–0 record and earned national honors. Ball averaged 16.4 points and 3.8 assists per game. He shared the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year award with Okongwu.
Sophomore Highlights and National Fame (2016–2017)
During his sophomore year, Ball became a popular player across the country. On December 26, 2016, he made a shot from half court just two seconds into a game, which quickly gained wide attention online.
On February 7, 2017, Ball scored 92 points in a single game against Los Osos High School. This performance stood as the second-highest individual scoring game in California high school basketball history.
Ball finished his sophomore year averaging 26.7 points and nearly 10 assists per game. His play earned him MaxPreps Sophomore All-American first-team honors. During the summer of 2017, Ball played in an AAU game against fellow future NBA star Zion Williamson, drawing major media coverage.
Transition to SPIRE Academy (2018–2019)
In late 2017, Ball left traditional high school to be homeschooled and later traveled overseas to play professionally. On November 5, 2018, he returned to high school basketball by joining SPIRE Institute and Academy in Geneva, Ohio. He played under head coach Jermaine Jackson.
On November 10, 2018, Ball made his SPIRE debut by recording 20 points, 13 assists, and five rebounds in a 96–84 victory against The Hill School. He helped lead SPIRE to a strong season and was named the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
College Recruitment Process
Ball verbally committed to play for the UCLA Bruins when he was 13 years old. He was regarded as a top five-star recruit by sports scouts.
Due to his early professional experience in Europe, questions arose regarding his amateur eligibility for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the governing body for college sports. As a result, Ball chose to bypass college basketball entirely to prepare for the NBA draft through alternate professional leagues.
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaMelo Ball PG |
Chino Hills, CA | SPIRE Academy (OH) | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | — | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 93 |
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| Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: — 247Sports: 26 ESPN: 21 | ||||||
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Professional Basketball Journey
Playing Professionally in Lithuania (2018)
In December 2017, at 16 years old, Ball signed with Prienai in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). He became one of the youngest Americans to ever play professional basketball overseas.
Ball made his European debut on January 13, 2018. On February 4, he scored a season-high 19 points with four three-pointers in a game against Žalgiris. He finished his time in Lithuania averaging 6.5 points and 2.4 assists per game.
Junior Basketball Association (2018)
In May 2018, Ball joined the Los Angeles Ballers in the Junior Basketball Association (JBA), a summer league organized for young prospects.
In his debut on June 21, Ball recorded a triple-double with 40 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals. Over eight regular-season games, he averaged 39.6 points, 14.6 rebounds, and 11.5 assists per game. He helped lead the Los Angeles Ballers to the JBA league championship before returning to high school in Ohio.
Development with the Illawarra Hawks (2019–2020)
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On June 17, 2019, Ball signed with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL). He joined through the league's Next Stars program, which helps develop top young athletes for the NBA draft.
Ball moved to Australia alongside his coach Jermaine Jackson. On November 25, 2019, Ball recorded 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists in an overtime win against the Cairns Taipans. This made him the youngest player in NBL history to achieve a triple-double.
In his very next game, Ball recorded another triple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists against the New Zealand Breakers. Through 12 games with the Hawks, Ball averaged 17.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. He was voted the NBL Rookie of the Year for the 2019–20 season. His strong play in Australia established him as a top prospect for the upcoming NBA draft.
NBA Career
Charlotte Hornets (2020–2026)
Rookie of the Year Campaign (2020–2021)
The Charlotte Hornets selected Ball with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft on November 18, 2020. Ball and his brother Lonzo became the first brothers in NBA history to both be drafted within the top three picks.
Ball made his NBA debut on December 23, 2020, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On January 9, 2021, at 19 years and 140 days old, Ball recorded 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Atlanta Hawks. This made him the youngest player in NBA history at that time to record a triple-double.
On February 5, Ball scored 34 points with eight assists against the Utah Jazz, becoming the youngest player in Hornets history to score 30 points in a game. Ball finished his first season averaging 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
NBA All-Star Selection (2021–2022)
In his second season, Ball continued to improve his scoring and playmaking. In the opening game of the 2021–22 season, he scored 31 points with seven three-pointers in a win over the Indiana Pacers.
On November 17, 2021, Ball recorded a career-high 14 assists against the Washington Wizards. On February 2, 2022, he scored 38 points against the Boston Celtics.
On February 7, 2022, Ball was named to his first NBA All-Star Game as an injury replacement for Kevin Durant. He helped the Hornets reach the NBA play-in tournament while averaging 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game.
Statistical Milestones (2022–2024)
Before the 2022–23 NBA season, Ball changed his uniform number to number 1. On February 15, 2023, Ball became the second-youngest player in NBA history to reach 1,000 career points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists, trailing only LeBron James.
On July 6, 2023, Ball signed a long-term contract extension with the Hornets. On November 5, 2023, he recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks.
Career Scoring Highs (2024–2026)
On October 23, 2024, Ball scored 34 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists in a season-opening victory over the Houston Rockets.
On November 23, 2024, Ball scored a career-high 50 points along with 10 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks. He became the third-youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points in a single game. In his following game, he scored 44 points against the Orlando Magic. Ball finished the 2024–25 season averaging a career-best 25.2 points per game.
During the 2025–26 season, Ball made 272 three-pointers. He and teammate Kon Knueppel became just the second teammate duo in NBA history to each make over 270 three-pointers in a single regular season, matching a record previously set by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
On April 14, 2026, Ball hit a game-winning layup to lead Charlotte to a 127–126 win over the Miami Heat during the play-in tournament.
Minnesota Timberwolves (2026–present)
On July 10, 2026, Ball was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a multi-team trade. He joined the Timberwolves to serve as their starting point guard.
Career Statistics and Records
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBA Regular Season Statistics
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Charlotte | 51 | 31 | 28.8 | .436 | .352 | .758 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 1.6 | .4 | 15.7 |
| 2021–22 | Charlotte | 75 | 75 | 32.3 | .429 | .389 | .872 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 1.6 | .4 | 20.1 |
| 2022–23 | Charlotte | 36 | 36 | 35.2 | .411 | .376 | .836 | 6.4 | 8.4 | 1.3 | .3 | 23.3 |
| 2023–24 | Charlotte | 22 | 22 | 32.3 | .433 | .355 | .865 | 5.1 | 8.0 | 1.8 | .2 | 23.9 |
| 2024–25 | Charlotte | 47 | 47 | 32.0 | .405 | .339 | .843 | 4.9 | 7.4 | 1.1 | .3 | 25.2 |
| 2025–26 | Charlotte | 72 | 69 | 28.0 | .407 | .368 | .899 | 4.8 | 7.1 | 1.2 | .2 | 20.1 |
| Career | 303 | 280 | 31.0 | .419 | .365 | .847 | 5.7 | 7.3 | 1.4 | .3 | 20.8 | |
| All-Star | 1 | 0 | 22.0 | .636 | .500 | — | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | .0 | 18.0 | |
International League Statistics
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 (Lithuania) | Prienai | 8 | 1 | 12.8 | .268 | .250 | .737 | 1.1 | 2.4 | .8 | .1 | 6.5 |
| 2019–20 (Australia) | Illawarra | 12 | 12 | 31.2 | .377 | .250 | .723 | 7.4 | 6.8 | 1.7 | .2 | 17.0 |
Personal Life and Off-Court Activities
Ball comes from a family with deep sports roots. His father, LaVar, played college basketball and professional football. His mother, Tina, also played college basketball. His older brother, Lonzo Ball, plays guard in the NBA, and his middle brother, LiAngelo Ball, pursued professional basketball and music.
In August 2017, Ball was featured on the family reality web series Ball in the Family, which followed the daily lives and training of the Ball brothers. In 2021, Ball signed a major athletic footwear partnership with Puma to create signature basketball shoes.
In 2026, Ball and his partner Analicia Chaves welcomed a son named LaOne Ball. The couple also established a non-profit organization to support families and healthcare initiatives.
See also
In Spanish: LaMelo Ball para niños
