LaMelo Ball was a sensation in his rookie year. The Charlotte Hornets guard was not a lock in the top-five prior to the 2020 NBA Draft. However, his sheer talent couldn’t be denied, as Michael Jordan took a chance on him and picked him with the third overall pick. Despite the fanfare surrounding his family, Ball showed that he was the right pick for Charlotte, as he impressed greatly in his first season. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year and looks set to be a future superstar as time goes on. It seems as though the rest of the league has taken notice, with one star giving him his props.
CJ McCollum was a guest on ‘Full Bodied’ with Channing Frye. In a discussion comparing wines to NBA stars, McCollum compared LaMelo Ball to a luxurious new world wine. He told Frye that LaMelo was a player wise beyond his years, and can be a future superstar in the NBA. The gift that Ball has, especially with his vision and passing, is truly special. McCollum believes that Michael Jordan being surprised by Ball’s talent is the biggest indicator of where his ceiling is in the game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmbIfvO6kUg
“The ceiling is very very high, a lot of upside…The game is like, it leaves you like ‘wow’. He’s ahead of his time from a vision standpoint. When Mike (Jordan) is saying that he’s better than we thought, you know you’re doing what you supposed to do.”
LaMelo was a revelation in Charlotte, as he put on some incredible performances. An injury in the regular season cut off his campaign, but his work left the Hornets in a solid position to secure a playoff position through the play-in tournament. While his return wasn’t enough for the Hornets to make the playoffs, the Hornets will be a major force next season, as LaMelo continues to grow into his role.
