Three years ago, a 16-year-old LaMelo Ball trolled Kyle Kuzma, calling himself the Lakers forward’s “favourite player’s favourite player”.
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LaMelo Ball has had the most unconventional route to the NBA. At 16, Melo was taken out of school, to play pro ball in Lithuania. He then went back to Spire Academy to finish his senior season.
Since he had his own shoe line, according to NCAA rules, he couldn’t play the prestigious March Madness tournament, resulting in the 18-year-old playing professional ball in the Australian league. It was in the NBL, where Melo increased his draft stock and was a serious contender for the number 1 pick of the 2020 Draft.
After going to the Charlotte Hornets as the 2nd pick, LaMelo Ball has proven to be the best player from the 2020 Class. The lanky 6-foot-6 combo guard has definitely established himself to be one of the top young players in the league. No doubt, Ball will go on to be one of the future faces of the league.
Michael Jordan himself revealed how his point guard has superseded all the surreal expectations set for him. Even though he missed 21 games late in the season, Ball ended up with the Rookie of the Year honours, after a great first year, averaging 15.7 points, 6.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Also Read: Scottie Pippen Doesn’t Blame MJ For Making Him A ‘Sidekick’ But The Brands That “Tricked The Media”
“I’m gonna be so fly, I’mma have your momma laced in my MB1s”: LaMelo Ball trolling Kyle Kuzma
Clearly, LaMelo has some serious talents on the court, however, the youngest Ball brother has some excellent trolling skills too. Being confident in nature, a 16-year-old high-schooler, wasn’t shy of trolling a professional basketball player.
Back when Lonzo Ball was still playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, he shared a great relationship with former teammate Kyle Kuzma. Melo being Melo, decided to troll the then 22-year-old Kuz. During a video call with his eldest brother, LaMelo and Kuzma went back and forth with each other:
“I would put you in the gang, Kuz, but you be trying to roast me on social media,” Ball said.
“It’s called swag, my boy,” Kuzma replied before offering to send LaMelo “a couple ‘fits ‘cause you need to fix your swag up.”
“I’m 16 with my own shoe,” LaMelo said. “How you feel?”
“In like three or four years, when nobody knows about your, your shoe’s gonna be in Payless,” Kuzma responded.
“Is that right? I’m gonna be so fly, I’mma have yo momma laced in my MB1s, courtside,” Melo retorted.
“True swag is effortless, man,” Kuz said. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I want you to hear me very closely: I’m your favorite player’s favorite player,” LaMelo said.
A high schooler LaMelo was pretty wild and unfiltered. All he did was play basketball and keep the people around him laugh. Even in the league, Ball is having a great relationship with his fellow Hornets teammates, helping in their on-court chemistry.
The 19-year-old has already had a great impact on the organisation. The team which had only won 23 games out of 65 last season, went on to win 33 this year, only to get eliminated in the newly added play-in tournament.
With the young core, Charlotte has, no doubt they will be a deadly team to look out for. And for LaMelo Ball, definitely, the sky is the limit for the 2021 Rookie of the Year.
