As 2020 NBA Draft workouts are underway, some of the top prospects in the draft have begun showcasing their talents for top teams. With the pre-draft process being unlike any other in the league’s history, the pre-draft workouts and interviews are not as public as they have been in years prior.
In previous seasons, media would be invited to the workouts to talk to the prospects and it was known that teams had worked out players individually. So far, that has not been the case for every workout and interview with every team and, particularly, LaMelo Ball.
Arguably the top prospect in the draft, Ball will be in high demand for the top teams in the draft. However, it appears he may not be doing much to help his case so far.
In a radio interview 102.5 FM WFNZ in Charlotte, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer revealed that Ball is struggling in interviews and workouts so far, according to his sources.
“Here is what I’m hearing from the league at large: LaMelo Ball is not performing very well at job interviews. I’ve heard that from multiple sources. He is not improving his perception via job interview. There are people drafting later in the top ten who were not preparing for the possibility of Ball still being around and, I’m not saying that he will be a top three pick, I am saying that I know for a fact that there are teams later in the top ten who are doing more research on him because they no longer think it’s a given he will.”
While the wording from Bonnell is odd, Ball struggling in the pre-draft process in an individual workout and interview is not shocking. On the court, Ball’s complete skillset is best showcased in a setting with teammates. His best skills are his passing and ability to read defenses, neither of which can translate in a 1-on-1 setting. And on the other hand, his jumper may be the area of his game he needs the most work and is an area that would look particularly bad in an individual workout.
Off the court, Ball is not always a charismatic personality. A player that often keeps to himself, even the most gregarious version of Ball in media interviews offers up short, concise quotes.
All of that being said, this is one report on Ball’s workouts and how much all that plays into the thinking of each remains to be seen.