History of LaMelo Ball in Timeline

LaMelo Ball is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. Drafted third overall in 2020, he quickly made an impact, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2021. His success continued with an NBA All-Star selection in 2022, solidifying his status as a prominent player in the league.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

August 22, 2001: LaMelo Ball's Birth

On August 22, 2001, LaMelo LaFrance Ball was born. He is an American professional basketball player.

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2009: NBL switched to 40-minute games

In 2009, the NBL switched to 40-minute games, making LaMelo Ball the first player since then to record consecutive triple-doubles.

2013: Played 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.

2016: Big Baller Brand Launch

In 2016, LaMelo Ball's family launched Big Baller Brand, a sports apparel company.

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.

June 26, 2017: Appearance on WWE Raw

On June 26, 2017, LaMelo Ball appeared on a segment of WWE Raw with members of his family, during which he used inappropriate language, leading to an apology from WWE.

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August 2017: Ball in the Family Launch

By August 2017, LaMelo Ball had a role in the Facebook Watch reality show "Ball in the Family", which documents the lives of his family members.

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August 31, 2017: Melo Ball 1 Signature Shoe Release

On August 31, 2017, Big Baller Brand released the Melo Ball 1 (MB1), LaMelo Ball's signature shoe, making him the youngest athlete to ever have a signature shoe.

September 8, 2017: "Melo Ball 1" Release

On September 8, 2017, Ball became the subject of a rap single titled "Melo Ball 1" released by his brother, Lonzo.

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October 2, 2017: Left Chino Hills to be homeschooled

On October 2, 2017, LaMelo Ball left Chino Hills to be homeschooled because his father disapproved of the newly appointed head coach and school administration.

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: Lonzo Ball drafted No. 2 overall

In 2017, LaMelo's brother Lonzo Ball was chosen No. 2 overall in the NBA draft. LaMelo and Lonzo became the first set of brothers to both be drafted in the top 3 of the NBA draft.

2017: LaVar Ball becomes a media personality

In 2017, LaVar Ball, LaMelo's father, became a media personality.

2017: LaVar Ball's Rise to Prominence

In 2017, LaVar Ball, LaMelo's father, became a popular but polarizing sports media personality, primarily for making outlandish remarks about the careers of himself and his sons.

2017: Melo Ball 1 signature shoe release

In 2017, the release of LaMelo Ball's Melo Ball 1 signature shoe by Big Baller Brand threatened his eligibility under the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

January 13, 2018: Professional debut with Prienai

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.

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.

November 2018: Expressed interest in playing college basketball

In November 2018, despite questions surrounding his eligibility, LaMelo Ball expressed interest in playing college basketball upon his return to high school.

2018: Played in the JBA and returned to high school

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

2018: Remained a five-star recruit

In 2018, when LaMelo Ball returned to high school after a professional stint, he remained a five-star recruit.

June 17, 2019: Signed with the Illawarra Hawks

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

August 2019: Named Leader of the New School

In August 2019, after playing for No Shnacks at the Drew League, LaMelo Ball was named Leader of the New School, an award honoring the league's top rookie.

2019: Played for the Illawarra Hawks

In 2019, LaMelo Ball played in Australia for the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL).

2019: Ineligible for McDonald's All-American Game

In 2019, LaMelo Ball was ruled ineligible for the McDonald's All-American Game due to his professional experience.

2019: Considered a top recruit

LaMelo Ball emerged as a top recruit in the 2019 class during his sophomore season in high school. Most recruiting services considered him a five-star recruit and one of the top point guards in his class.

January 16, 2020: Sat out for the remainder of the NBL season

On January 16, 2020, while still sidelined due to 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, going scoreless with one rebound, three assists, and two steals in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2020: Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Selection

After the 2020-2021 NBA season, LaMelo Ball was named the NBA Rookie of the Year and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, recognizing his outstanding performance throughout his initial season.

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 2020, LaMelo Ball was 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 played his first regulation game against his brother, Lonzo, in a match against the New Orleans Pelicans. LaMelo helped the Hornets rally from an 18-point deficit to win 118-110, narrowly missing a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

2021: Signing with Puma

In 2021, LaMelo Ball signed with Puma.

2021: NBA Rookie of the Year

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

2021: Strong Start to the 2021-22 Season

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: Jersey Number Change

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

2022: Named NBA All-Star

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

February 13, 2023: Career-High Assists and Hornets Record

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 the Hornets

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

October 2023: Alleged Car Accident

In early October 2023, LaMelo Ball was alleged to have hit Tamaria McRae's son with his car while exiting the Spectrum Center after a fan event, leading to a lawsuit filed in May 2024.

November 5, 2023: Triple-Double Against 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.

May 21, 2024: Lawsuit Filed Against Ball and the Hornets

On May 21, 2024, Tamaria McRae filed a lawsuit against LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets, alleging that Ball hit her son with his car in October 2023. The family seeks over $25,000 in damages, and the litigation is ongoing.

October 23, 2024: Season-Opening Performance and Franchise Record

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. LaMelo also became the first player in Hornets franchise history to drop at least 30 points and 10 assists in a season-opening game.

November 2024: NBA Fine for "No Homo" Comment

In November 2024, LaMelo Ball was fined $100,000 by the NBA after using the phrase "no homo" in a post-game interview. The NBA described his language as “offensive and derogatory”.

March 28, 2025: Season-Ending Procedures

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 Wizards

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

2025: Popularity of video edits on TikTok

During mid-to-late 2025, video edits featuring highlights of Ball were popularized on platforms such as TikTok. These edits contained the song Doot Doot (6 7) by Skrilla, which was based on Ball's height of 6 ft 7 in. These were part of the 6-7 meme of 2025.

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January 8, 2026: First Game off the Bench Since Rookie Season

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