Like athletes across the world, the normal routine for LaMelo Ball in the lead up to the 2020 NBA Draft has long gone out the window. In most years, players like Ball would be practicing daily in gymnasiums with specialized trainers while preparing for the predraft process. It wouldn’t even be a stretch to think that a top prospect like Ball would have begun individual workouts with teams.
Instead, everything is on hold across the sports landscape. Ball has remained at the Big Baller mansion and has been joined by older brothers LiAngelo and Lonzo. But the Ball family has taken the time together to work out with one another, led by father LaVar Ball.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony talked to LaMelo’s manager Jermaine Jackson about Ball’s current workout routine and the effects it’s already had.
“Right now Melo is focused on the weight room and working on his game training with Lavar. His father is doing a phenomenal job. He already put seven pounds of muscle on him. He’s working out with Lonzo and Gelo trying to get ready for whatever comes next. He’s grown half an inch in the last few months.”
The last sentence might be the most intriguing. There has yet been an official measurement of any sort for LaMelo’s height. Photos have shown in the past that he’s already taller than Lonzo, who is listed at 6’6″ on the Pelicans roster.
It’s also notable that LaMelo has added muscle to his frame. It’s almost certainly one of the first things any NBA team would have asked him to start doing given his slender frame. Lonzo himself has bulked up significantly since his rookie year.
Both Lonzo and LiAngelo have experience in what playing professionally and can mentor LaMelo in that aspect as well. Given the circumstances, it’s hard to think of a better position for LaMelo to be in than with family and fellow professionals while still training.
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