A key 2020 NBA Draft target of the Chicago Bulls, lengthy point guard LaMelo Ball, had his NBL season ended with a foot injury.
One of the possible top prospects for a thin 2020 NBA Draft class is the 6-foot-7 point guard LaMelo Ball. The brother of the New Orleans Pelicans starting point guard Lonzo Ball, LaMelo recently injured his foot and is reportedly headed back to the United States for rehab ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft. That aforementioned foot injury was set to keep him out of the rest of the 2019-20 NBL season in Australia. Ball could be a potential 2020 NBA Draft target of a team like the Chicago Bulls.
LaMelo did make progress in his game while playing overseas in the NBL. He elected to forego the usual college route and play overseas to prepare for the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft. That seemed to be a growing trend along with fellow former five-star guard recruit RJ Hampton.
The main concerns in LaMelo’s game are also something he can improve upon still while rehabbing from this foot injury. Shooting is always going to be a primary point of concern for the Ball brothers. Lonzo is finally starting to find his shot with the Pelicans this season. He never really developed that during his time with the UCLA Bruins or Los Angeles Lakers.
However, the NBL definitely had some high marks for LaMelo after playing in just slightly under one season overseas. Here’s what the NBL’s Illawarra Hawks (LaMelo’s team) has to say on his behalf after the announcement that he would be returning to the United States due to this injury.
"LaMelo has had a big impact on our club and the league and we thank him for everything he has done for the Hawks and the Illawarra community. He has a very bright future ahead of him and the Hawks are proud to have played a part in that journey. LaMelo and his team will always be a part of the Hawks family and we wish him the very best ahead of the NBA Draft."
Earning high praise should help LaMelo’s image as the NBA Draft is now officially less than six months away.
Another impact that LaMelo seemingly had on the NBL is the establishment of a true pathway for potential college prospects to have an alternate route to take their game overseas. The one-and-done rule has definitely impacted a lot of college hoops programs and college kids in the last 15 years.
Here’s the NBL commissioner on the impact of LaMelo with any potential future NBA players that want to play in Australia.
"Like all NBL Next Stars, we are proud to have played a part in his journey to the NBA and we look forward to maintaining a close association with him as he takes the next steps in his professional career."
Moreover, even though LaMelo returns to the US hurt ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft, he’ll benefit from this weak draft class. He should be a top five pick if he shows a quick recovery and continued improvement in his shooting ability. During his stint with the Hawks in the NBL, Ball averaged 17.0 points per game, 6.8 assists, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while shooting 37.5 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from three-point land.
The Bulls might also need guard help heading into the NBA Draft. Landing at or near the top of the draft lottery could mean that they nab LaMelo if he falls to them. Ball’s draft stock shouldn’t fall too far because of this foot injury, but the Bulls should keep him on their radar no matter what.