“I played a lot of 21 growing up”: Hornets’ LaMelo Ball reveals how he honed his rebounding after becoming youngest NBA player to record a triple-double

Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball tells us the secret to his elite rebounding skills after becoming the youngest to ever record an NBA triple-double.

The Charlotte Hornets have gotten a great deal out of the 2020 draft. Their rookie LaMelo Ball has not disappointed them in the 10 games so far. He has been averaging 13.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 6.3 rebounds while coming off the bench.

LaMelo missed a shot to become the youngest player to record a triple-double when he ended the night with 9 assists against his brother’s team, the Pelicans. He ended the night with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.

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However, he did not miss a chance tonight, as the Hornets beat the Hawks 113-105. LaMelo ended the night with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.

LaMelo, at 19 years and 140 days, became the youngest player in the NBA to record a triple-double. He overtook Markelle Fultz, who held the record at 19 years and 317 days.

“I played a lot of 21 growing up”: LaMelo Ball on how he’s able to grab so many rebounds

LaMelo Ball, on the court seems like a natural, when it comes to grabbing rebounds. What astonishes a lot of people is that he’s a 19-year-old rookie, who weighs a 180 pounds. For him to be able to grab so many rebounds so effortlessly, is something you do not see a lot in the NBA.

When LaMelo was asked about it post-game, he said it was because he played a lot of 21 growing up.

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One can imagine the number of pickup games LaMelo would have played while growing up. Being the youngest of the 3 Ball brothers, LaMelo would have had a lot of people to play ball with always, and rebounding is a must if you got to win the match.

So far, the rookie has been impressive. It would be interesting to see how he fares by the end of the season.