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. Drafted third overall in 2020 by the Hornets, Ball quickly made an impact, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2021. His success continued, 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: Played on Big Ballers VXT

In 2013, while in seventh grade, LaMelo Ball began playing with his brothers on Big Ballers VXT, a 17-and-under AAU team.

March 5, 2016: Won 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.

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

On August 31, 2017, Big Baller Brand released the Melo Ball 1 (MB1), a signature shoe for LaMelo Ball, making him 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: Signed with Prienai

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

2017: Brother Drafted

In 2017, LaMelo's brother Lonzo was drafted. Later, in 2020, LaMelo and Lonzo became the first set of brothers to be drafted in the top 3 of the NBA draft.

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: Signed 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: Joined SPIRE Institute and Academy

On November 5, 2018, LaMelo Ball joined SPIRE Institute and Academy, a prep school in Geneva, Ohio, after skipping his junior year and part of his senior year to play professionally.

November 10, 2018: Debut for SPIRE

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

2018: Played in the Junior Basketball Association and returned to High School

In 2018, LaMelo Ball played in the Junior Basketball Association (JBA), a league created by his father. Afterwards, he returned to high school as a senior with SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio.

June 17, 2019: Signed 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: Played 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: Decided to Sit Out Remainder of Season

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

November 18, 2020: Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets

On November 18, 2020, LaMelo Ball was selected with the third overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA draft.

December 23, 2020: NBA Debut

On December 23, 2020, LaMelo Ball made his NBA debut for the Charlotte Hornets, going scoreless in 16 minutes in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2020: Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets

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

2020: Selected Third Overall by the Hornets

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

January 8, 2021: First game against Lonzo Ball

On January 8, 2021, LaMelo Ball and his brother Lonzo played their first regulation game against each other at any level. LaMelo helped the Hornets rally from an 18-point deficit to a 118–110 win, recording 12 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

2021: Signs with Puma

In 2021, LaMelo Ball signed with Puma.

2021: Named NBA Rookie of the Year

In 2021, LaMelo Ball was voted the NBA Rookie of the Year.

February 2, 2022: Career-high 38 points against the Boston Celtics

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: Named NBA All-Star

In 2022, LaMelo Ball was named an NBA All-Star.

February 13, 2023: Career-high-tying 15 assists against the Atlanta Hawks

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: Signed Contract Extension with the Hornets

On July 6, 2023, LaMelo Ball signed a contract extension with the Hornets.

November 5, 2023: Triple-double vs. Dallas Mavericks

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

October 23, 2024: 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists in season opener

On October 23, 2024, in the Hornets' season-opening game, LaMelo Ball put up 34 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists in a 110–105 win over the Houston Rockets. Ball also became the first player in Hornets franchise history to drop at least 30 points and 10 assists in a season-opening game.

March 28, 2025: Out for season due to ankle and wrist issues

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 against the Washington Wizards

On October 26, 2025, LaMelo Ball recorded a triple-double with 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists against the Washington Wizards, his first triple-double since November 5, 2023.

January 8, 2026: 33 points off the bench against the Indiana Pacers

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