While much of LaMelo Ball has been covered during his time in Australia, including a terrific recent feature from Bleacher Report’s Mirin Fader, he has slid relatively under the radar off the court. Not coincidentally, the radio silence coincides with LaVar being far away from LaMelo.
As was noted before LaMelo even left for Australia, Jermaine Jackson would be with Ball while LaVar remained in California. Jackson had grown close to the family and Ball in particular after spending a season as his coach at SPIRE Institute.
On top of being a move that made logistical sense, giving LaMelo a break from his often overbearing father was a much-needed reprieve for both parties, as said by Illawarra Hawks owner Simon Stratford in a recent feature on LaMelo.
“I think it’s a big step for both of them, father and son. I’d certainly be worried letting my son go to the other side of the world, but I think it was needed for them both. I think LaVar is a better person for just letting LaMelo do his thing. He has been forced to grow up in this six-month period that he is in the NBL.”
Ball has been forced to grow up multiple times in his life and career but perhaps no move has been bigger than his current stop in Australia. Both on and off the court, he has further developed into an adult and a bona fide NBA prospect.
In a career where little has made sense, Ball’s stop in Australia may end up being the best thing to happen to him yet.
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