Rise to Success: Career Highlights of LaMelo Ball

How LaMelo Ball built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

LaMelo Ball is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. He was drafted third overall by the Hornets in the 2020 NBA draft. Showing immediate promise, Ball earned the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2021. His success continued the following season, as he was named an NBA All-Star in 2022, solidifying his status as a rising star in the league.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2013: Plays with Big Ballers VXT

In 2013, while in seventh grade, LaMelo Ball began playing with his brothers on Big Ballers VXT, a 17-and-under Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team launched and coached by his parents.

March 5, 2016: CIF Southern Section Open Division Title

On March 5, 2016, LaMelo Ball scored 26 points in a win over Sierra Canyon School for the CIF Southern Section Open Division title.

December 26, 2016: Half-Court Shot

On December 26, 2016, LaMelo Ball made national headlines for making a half-court shot two seconds into a game.

February 4, 2017: First High School Loss

On February 4, 2017, LaMelo Ball suffered his first high school loss despite scoring a game-high 36 points, with Oak Hill Academy ending Chino Hills' 60-game win streak.

August 31, 2017: Melo Ball 1 (MB1) Release

On August 31, 2017, Big Baller Brand released the Melo Ball 1 (MB1), a signature shoe for LaMelo Ball. He became the youngest athlete to ever have a signature shoe.

PUMA Mens MB1 376813 01 Be You - Size 10.5

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December 11, 2017: Signs with Prienai

On December 11, 2017, LaMelo Ball signed with Prienai of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) with his brother, LiAngelo.

January 13, 2018: Professional Debut

On January 13, 2018, LaMelo Ball made his professional debut with Prienai, going scoreless in five minutes against Lietkabelis.

May 4, 2018: Signs with the Los Angeles Ballers

On May 4, 2018, LaMelo Ball signed with the Los Angeles Ballers of the Junior Basketball Association (JBA).

November 5, 2018: Joins SPIRE Institute

On November 5, 2018, LaMelo Ball joined SPIRE Institute and Academy, a prep school in Geneva, Ohio.

November 10, 2018: SPIRE Institute Debut

On November 10, 2018, LaMelo Ball debuted for SPIRE Institute, recording 20 points, 13 assists, and five rebounds in a 96–84 win over The Hill School.

2018: Plays in the JBA

In 2018, LaMelo Ball played in the Junior Basketball Association (JBA), a league created by his father, before returning to high school.

June 17, 2019: Signs with the Illawarra Hawks

On June 17, 2019, LaMelo Ball signed a two-year contract with the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian-based National Basketball League (NBL).

2019: Plays for the Illawarra Hawks

In 2019, LaMelo Ball chose to forgo college basketball and played in Australia for the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL).

January 16, 2020: Sits out for the Remainder of the Season

On January 16, 2020, while still sidelined due to a foot injury, LaMelo Ball decided to sit out for the remainder of the season with the Illawarra Hawks.

November 18, 2020: Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets

In the 2020 NBA draft, which was held on November 18, 2020, LaMelo Ball was selected with the third overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets.

December 23, 2020: NBA Debut

On December 23, 2020, LaMelo Ball made his NBA debut for the Charlotte Hornets, going scoreless in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2020: NBA Rookie of the Year

After the 2020-2021 NBA season, LaMelo Ball was named the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year and selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, marking a significant achievement in his early career.

2020: Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets

In 2020, LaMelo Ball was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the third overall pick of the NBA draft.

2020: Selected third overall by the Hornets

In the 2020 NBA Draft, LaMelo Ball's success led him to be selected third overall by the Charlotte Hornets.

January 8, 2021: First Game Against Lonzo

On January 8, 2021, LaMelo Ball and his brother Lonzo Ball played against each other for the first time in a regulation game. LaMelo helped the Charlotte Hornets rally from an 18-point deficit to win 118-110 over the New Orleans Pelicans, nearly achieving a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

2021: Signs with Puma

In 2021, LaMelo Ball signed a contract with Puma.

2021: Hornets' season opener

In the Hornets' 2021-22 season opener, LaMelo Ball matched his career-high seven three-pointers, while putting up 31 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a 123–122 win over the Indiana Pacers.

February 2, 2022: Career-High 38 Points

On February 2, 2022, LaMelo Ball recorded a then career-high 38 points, along with nine assists and five rebounds, in a 113–107 loss to the Boston Celtics.

2022: Ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season

Ahead of the 2022–23 NBA season, LaMelo Ball changed his jersey number from the number 2 to the number 1.

February 13, 2023: Career-High-Tying 15 Assists

On February 13, 2023, LaMelo Ball recorded 30 points, six rebounds and a career-high-tying 15 assists in a 144–138 win over the Atlanta Hawks. He also became the first player in Hornets history to record at least 30 points, five rebounds and 15 assists in a game.

July 6, 2023: Contract Extension with Hornets

On July 6, 2023, LaMelo Ball signed a contract extension with the Charlotte Hornets, securing his future with the team.

November 5, 2023: Triple-Double against Mavericks

On November 5, 2023, LaMelo Ball achieved a triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds in a 124–118 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

October 23, 2024: Season-Opening Performance

On October 23, 2024, in the Hornets' season-opening game, LaMelo Ball scored 34 points, secured eight rebounds, and delivered 11 assists in a 110–105 victory over the Houston Rockets. Ball also made history as the first player in Hornets franchise history to achieve at least 30 points and 10 assists in a season-opening game.

March 28, 2025: End of Season Announcement

On March 28, 2025, the Hornets announced that LaMelo Ball would miss the rest of the season to undergo two minor procedures to address ankle and wrist issues.

October 26, 2025: Triple-Double Performance

On October 26, 2025, in a game against the Washington Wizards, LaMelo Ball achieved a triple-double, recording 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists. This marked his first triple-double since November 5, 2023.

January 8, 2026: Coming off the Bench

On January 8, 2026, LaMelo Ball came off the bench for the first time since his rookie season in a game against the Indiana Pacers, scoring 33 points, with 8 rebounds, and 3 steals.