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 by the Hornets, Ball quickly made a name for himself, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2021. His impact continued, and he was selected as an NBA All-Star in 2022, solidifying his status as a rising star 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 later became a professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA.

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2009: NBL Switched to 40-minute games

In 2009, the NBL switched to 40-minute games. LaMelo Ball became the fourth player in league history, and the first since this switch, to record consecutive triple-doubles.

2013: Played on Big Ballers VXT

In 2013, while in seventh grade, LaMelo Ball began playing with his brothers on Big Ballers VXT, an AAU team coached by his parents.

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 to win the CIF Southern Section Open Division title.

December 26, 2016: Made Half-Court Shot

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

2016: Big Baller Brand Launched

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

February 4, 2017: First High School Loss

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

June 26, 2017: WWE Raw Appearance

On June 26, 2017, LaMelo Ball appeared on a segment of WWE Raw with members of his family, during which he used inappropriate language. The WWE later apologized for his language.

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August 2017: Appears in Ball in the Family

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 Released

On August 31, 2017, Big Baller Brand released a signature shoe for LaMelo Ball called the Melo Ball 1 (MB1). 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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September 8, 2017: "Melo Ball 1" Released

On September 8, 2017, LaMelo Ball was 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 High School

On October 2, 2017, LaMelo Ball left Chino Hills High School to be homeschooled due to his father's disapproval of the new 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) along with his brother, LiAngelo, reportedly becoming the youngest American to sign a professional basketball contract.

2017: LaVar Becomes Popular Sports Media Personality

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

2017: LaVar Ball's rise to media personality

In 2017, LaVar Ball, LaMelo's father, became a prominent media personality as his sons garnered national attention.

2017: Lonzo Ball drafted

In 2017, Lonzo Ball, LaMelo's brother, 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.

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 Los Angeles Ballers

On May 4, 2018, LaMelo Ball signed with the Los Angeles Ballers of the Junior Basketball Association (JBA), a league created by his father.

November 5, 2018: Joined SPIRE Institute and Academy

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

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 win over The Hill School.

November 2018: Expressed interest in college basketball

In November 2018, LaMelo Ball expressed interest in playing college basketball upon returning to high school, despite concerns about his eligibility.

2018: Played in the Junior Basketball Association

In 2018, LaMelo Ball played in the Junior Basketball Association (JBA), a league created by his father, after leaving Chino Hills High School due to a coaching dispute.

2018: Five-star recruit

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

June 17, 2019: Signed with 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).

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) after forgoing college basketball.

2019: Top recruit

In 2019, LaMelo Ball remained a five-star recruit in the 2019 class even after returning to high school from playing professionally.

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 previous professional basketball experience.

January 16, 2020: Sat out remainder of NBL 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 to prepare for the NBA draft.

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 2020 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 during a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2020: Named NBA Rookie of the Year

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.

2020: Drafted by the Hornets

In 2020, LaMelo Ball was drafted third overall by the Charlotte Hornets, following a successful stint with the Illawarra Hawks.

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 as the Charlotte Hornets rallied from an 18-point deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 118-110. LaMelo narrowly missed a triple-double, scoring 12 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out nine assists.

2021: Hornets Season Opener

During the Hornets' 2021-2022 season opener, LaMelo Ball matched his career-high seven three-pointers while scoring 31 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing seven assists in a 123-122 win over the Indiana Pacers.

2021: Signed 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, recognizing his outstanding performance in his debut season.

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: Changed Jersey Number

Ahead of the 2022-2023 NBA season, LaMelo Ball changed his jersey number from the number 2 to the number 1.

2022: NBA All-Star

In 2022, LaMelo Ball was named an NBA All-Star, marking his recognition as one of the league's top players.

February 13, 2023: Ties Career-High in Assists

On February 13, 2023, LaMelo Ball recorded 30 points, six rebounds and tied a career-high 15 assists in a 144–138 win over the Atlanta Hawks. He 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 Hornets

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

October 2023: Alleged Incident leading to Lawsuit

In early October 2023, LaMelo Ball was allegedly involved in an incident where he hit a child with his car while exiting the Spectrum Center after a fan event. This incident led to a lawsuit filed in May 2024.

May 21, 2024: Lawsuit Filed Against Ball

On May 21, 2024, Tamaria McRae filed a lawsuit, on behalf of her child, against LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets, alleging Ball hit her son with his car while exiting the Spectrum Center after a fan event in early October 2023. The family is asking for a sum of over $25,000 in compensatory damages from both Ball and the Hornets, and the litigation remains ongoing.

October 23, 2024: 34 Points 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 became the first player in Hornets franchise history to drop at least 30 points and 10 assists in a season-opening game.

November 2024: Fined by the NBA

In November 2024, LaMelo Ball was fined $100,000 by the NBA after he used the phrase "no homo" in a post-game interview after the Hornets' 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. The NBA described Ball's language as “offensive and derogatory”.