At the 2021 ESPY awards on Saturday night, LaMelo Ball was named the Best Breakthrough Athlete of the year. Nominated alongside NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young and WNBA Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield, the NBA Rookie of the Year Ball took home the crown.
The award show took place The Rooftop at Pier 17 at the Seaport in New York City. With Mother Nature not cooperating, rain poured from the skies during at least Ball’s part of the ceremony. Whether it was the rain or Ball’s typically brief nature when speaking, his acceptance speech was….unique.
.@MELOD1P wins Best Breakthrough Athlete and may have had the best speech so far 😂 pic.twitter.com/ofOkyHtG6G
— ESPN (@espn) July 11, 2021
In his rookie year, Ball averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 51 games. Ball became the only player in the last 60 years to lead all rookies in total points, rebounds, assists and steals at the All-Star break. Ball is the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double after totaling 22 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists vs. Atlanta on Jan. 9 at 19 years and 140 days old.
Presenting… the BEST Breakthrough Athlete of 2021, @MELOD1P! 🕺💕🛸 https://t.co/lc3QEvrnfn | #ESPYS pic.twitter.com/QqabGMcUQ6
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 11, 2021
This year’s Best Breakthrough Athlete …
Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball 🛸🕺 @MELOD1P @ESPYS pic.twitter.com/Q6pOBI1ENk
— ESPN (@espn) July 11, 2021
In his brief career, Ball’s trophy cabinet is quickly filling up. In his lone season in the NBL with the Illawarra Hawks, Ball won Rookie of the Year as well.
