LaMelo Ball’s path to the 2020 NBA Draft had well-documented stops in multiple foreign countries. While his most recent time in Australia was a consensus success, his time in Lithuania much earlier in his career was a consensus failure.
In Lithuania, Ball only played eight official games, averaging 6.5 points, 2.4 assists and shooting 26.8% from the field. Most of his success came from events created by LaVar Ball designed for his sons to flourish. None of those same extra measures were needed in Australia as Ball averaged 17.2 points, 6.7 assists and 7.9 rebounds in 12 games, all of which he started.
Despite the mixed bag of results, Ball found value from both situations. During his 2020 NBA Draft Combine media interview, he spoke about playing against older professionals in each of those circumstances and what impact that had on him.
“I always played (an age group) up at a young age and I just feel playing up will help you no matter what because…you’re going to learn different stuff beside playing with your age (group),” he said.
After his failed season in Lithuania, Ball returned to America and took part in another LaVar-created league designed for LaMelo and LiAngelo to put up gaudy stats. Even his year with SPIRE featured him playing in an offense and a system not too dissimilar to Chino Hills with full-court presses and a gameplan focused on outscoring the opponent rather than getting defensive stops.
But none of his struggles in Europe dissuaded him from going to Australia to compete in the NBL.
“No, definitely not,” Ball said when asked if he had any doubts heading to the NBL. “Like I said, anything I go into, I’m always positive. Always looking at the best outcome. I felt great doing it.”
Ball’s unwavering confidence paid off in a big way as he’s positioned to potentially be the top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
