History of LaMelo Ball in Timeline
LaMelo Ball is a professional basketball player from the United States. He plays for the Charlotte Hornets and was drafted third overall in 2020. He earned the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2021 and became an All-Star by 2022.
August 22, 2001: Birth of LaMelo Ball
On August 22, 2001, LaMelo Ball was born.
2009: NBL Changes to 40-Minute Games
The Australian National Basketball League (NBL) switched to 40-minute games in 2009.
2013: Joining Big Ballers VXT
At the age of 11, LaMelo Ball began playing with the 17-and-under Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team, Big Ballers VXT, in 2013.
March 5, 2016: CIF Southern Section Open Division Title Win
On March 5, 2016, LaMelo Ball scored 26 points, leading his team to victory against Sierra Canyon School in the CIF Southern Section Open Division title game.
December 26, 2016: Half-Court Shot Fame
On December 26, 2016, LaMelo Ball made a half-court shot just two seconds into a game, garnering national attention.
2016: Launch of Big Baller Brand
The Ball family, including LaMelo Ball, launched their sports apparel company, Big Baller Brand, in 2016, marking their entry into the world of sports business.
February 4, 2017: First High School Loss
On February 4, 2017, LaMelo Ball's team, Chino Hills High School, experienced their first loss after a 60-game winning streak, despite Ball scoring a game-high 36 points against Oak Hill Academy.
June 26, 2017: Appearance on WWE Raw
On June 26, 2017, LaMelo Ball, along with his family, made a notable appearance on the WWE Raw program, during which he used strong language that led to an apology from WWE for the "inappropriate language."
August 2017: Launch of "Ball in the Family" Reality Show
August 2017 saw the launch of the Facebook Watch reality show "Ball in the Family," providing viewers with an inside look into the lives and dynamics of the Ball family, including LaMelo.
August 31, 2017: Release of Signature Shoe "Melo Ball 1 (MB1)"
On August 31, 2017, LaMelo Ball, at a remarkably young age, made history by becoming the youngest athlete to have his own signature shoe, the "Melo Ball 1 (MB1)", launched by his family's brand, Big Baller Brand.
September 8, 2017: Subject of Brother's Rap Single
LaMelo Ball's brother, Lonzo Ball, released a rap single dedicated to him titled "Melo Ball 1" on September 8, 2017.
October 2, 2017: Leaving Chino Hills High School
On October 2, 2017, LaMelo Ball withdrew from Chino Hills High School to pursue homeschooling due to his father's disapproval of the newly appointed head coach and school administration.
December 11, 2017: Signs with Prienai (LKL)
On December 11, 2017, LaMelo Ball signed with Prienai of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) alongside his brother, LiAngelo, becoming the youngest American to sign a professional basketball contract.
2017: LaVar Ball's Rise to Media Personality
In 2017, LaMelo Ball's father, LaVar Ball, gained significant attention in sports media, becoming a popular yet polarizing figure for his outspoken comments and bold predictions about his sons' basketball careers.
2017: Rise of LaVar Ball and Big Baller Brand
LaMelo Ball's father, LaVar Ball, gained media attention in 2017. In the same year, LaMelo Ball's signature shoe, "Melo Ball 1," was released by his family's company, Big Baller Brand.
2017: Lonzo Ball Drafted
Lonzo Ball, LaMelo's brother, was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2017 NBA draft.
2017: NCAA Eligibility Concerns and Signature Shoe Release
In 2017, the release of LaMelo Ball's signature shoe, "Melo Ball 1," by his family's company, Big Baller Brand, raised concerns about his eligibility to play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). LaMelo's father disregarded these concerns.
January 13, 2018: Professional Debut for Prienai
On January 13, 2018, LaMelo Ball made his professional debut for Prienai, although he did not score any points in his five minutes on the court.
May 4, 2018: Joins Los Angeles Ballers (JBA)
LaMelo Ball signed with the Los Angeles Ballers of the Junior Basketball Association (JBA) on May 4, 2018, a league established by his father as an alternative to college basketball.
November 5, 2018: Joining SPIRE Institute and Academy
LaMelo Ball enrolled in SPIRE Institute and Academy, a prep school in Geneva, Ohio, on November 5, 2018, after spending time playing basketball professionally.
November 10, 2018: Debut for SPIRE
On November 10, 2018, LaMelo Ball made his debut for SPIRE, contributing 20 points, 13 assists, and 5 rebounds to a 96-84 win against The Hill School.
November 2018: Exploring Alternative Basketball Paths
In November 2018, LaMelo Ball began exploring options beyond traditional college basketball, including prep school, the NBA G League, and professional leagues in Australia and China.
2018: Return to High School and Five-Star Recruit Status
After a period of playing professionally, LaMelo Ball returned to high school in 2018 and maintained his status as a five-star recruit.
2018: Junior Basketball Association (JBA) Participation
LaMelo Ball played in the Junior Basketball Association (JBA) in 2018, a league founded by his father.
June 17, 2019: Signs with Illawarra Hawks (NBL)
On June 17, 2019, LaMelo Ball signed a two-year contract with the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).
August 2019: Awarded "Leader of the New School"
In August 2019, LaMelo Ball received the "Leader of the New School" award, recognizing the Drew League's top rookie.
2019: National Basketball League (NBL) Debut
LaMelo Ball made his debut in the National Basketball League (NBL) with the Illawarra Hawks in 2019.
2019: McDonald's All-American Game Ineligibility
LaMelo Ball was deemed ineligible for the 2019 McDonald's All-American Game due to his prior professional basketball experience.
2019: Top Recruit Status
LaMelo Ball was widely regarded as a top prospect in the 2019 recruiting class, holding a five-star rating from most recruiting services and being considered one of the best point guards in his class.
January 16, 2020: Withdraws from NBL Season
LaMelo Ball decided to sit out the remainder of the NBL season due to a foot injury on January 16, 2020, and began preparing for the 2020 NBA draft.
November 18, 2020: Drafted by Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets selected LaMelo Ball as the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft on November 18, 2020.
December 23, 2020: NBA Debut with Hornets
LaMelo Ball made his NBA debut on December 23, 2020, playing for the Charlotte Hornets against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
2020: Named NBA Rookie of the Year
LaMelo Ball won the NBA Rookie of the Year award for the 2020–21 season.
2020: NBA Draft Selection
In 2020, LaMelo Ball was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the third overall pick in the NBA draft.
2020: NBA Draft Selection
In 2020, LaMelo Ball was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the third overall pick in the NBA draft.
January 8, 2021: First Game Against Brother Lonzo
On January 8, 2021, LaMelo Ball played against his brother Lonzo in a regulation game for the first time, marking a significant event in their basketball careers.
2021: Signing with Puma
In 2021, LaMelo Ball signed a deal with the sportswear giant Puma, joining their roster of athletes.
2021: Named to First NBA All-Star Game
LaMelo Ball was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game in 2021 as a replacement for Kevin Durant, a testament to his rising prominence in the league.
2021: NBA Rookie of the Year
LaMelo Ball was voted the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2021.
February 2, 2022: Career-High 38 Points
On February 2, 2022, LaMelo Ball achieved a career-high score of 38 points during a game against the Boston Celtics.
2022: NBA All-Star Selection
In 2022, LaMelo Ball was named an NBA All-Star.
2022: Jersey Number Change
In preparation for the 2022-2023 NBA season, LaMelo Ball decided to switch his jersey number from 2 to 1.
February 13, 2023: Career-High Assists and Franchise Record
On February 13, 2023, LaMelo Ball achieved a career-high 15 assists, alongside 30 points and six rebounds, leading the Charlotte Hornets to a 144-138 victory against the Atlanta Hawks. This game also marked Ball's place in Hornets history as the first player to record at least 30 points, five rebounds, and 15 assists in a single game.
July 6, 2023: Contract Extension with the Hornets
LaMelo Ball signed a contract extension with the Charlotte Hornets on July 6, 2023, solidifying his future with the team.
October 2023: Alleged Incident at Fan Event
In October 2023, LaMelo Ball was leaving the Spectrum Center after a fan event when he allegedly hit someone's son with his car. This incident led to a lawsuit filed in May 2024.
May 21, 2024: Lawsuit Filed
On May 21, 2024, a lawsuit was filed against LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets by Tamaria McRae. The lawsuit alleges that Ball hit her son with his car.