LaVar Ball has never been shy when it comes to lifting up his sons. When Lonzo entered the league years ago, LaVar “guaranteed” the Lakers would make the playoffs.
And now, with LaMelo, he’s boasting similar confidence. In a recent chat with TMZ Sports, here’s what the infamous basketball Dad had to say about his youngest son’s ROTY campaign.
“Teaming up with Michael Jordan and you can’t get Rookie of the Year? Are you crazy?”
The Hornets selected Melo with the third pick in the draft, reportedly receiving the “green light” by Jordan himself.
The team has not made the playoffs since 2016, where they lost against the Miami Heat in the first round of a seven-game series. After parting ways with several key players in the years that followed, Charlotte has been hard at work amid their roster rebuild, and they’re hoping LaMelo will be the first key in finally returning to relevancy.
Despite unwavering confidence from both he and his loud-mouth family, Melo has an undeniably high ceiling. As a teenager in the NBL, he averaged 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game on 37% shooting.
As for his chances to secure the Rookie of the Year trophy this season, that matter is still up for debate. His scoring abilities will be put on full display in the months to come, but he’ll be competing against others like Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman.
We’ll just have to wait and see how things look when the season is all said and done.
