The Charlotte Hornets’ roster was updated ahead of the team’s first preseason game on Saturday against Toronto and featured a particularly interesting bit of information.
LaMelo Ball’s height has been long speculated and even rumored ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft. Much of the speculation originally centered on a photo of LaMelo standing next to brother Lonzo in which the two looked to be the same height. At the time, Lonzo was listed at 6’7″ on the Pelicans roster.
Ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft, a rumor suggested, though, that LaMelo measured out at 6’6″ both in height and wingspan during the pre-draft process.
However, the Hornets added some finality to the debate by officially listing LaMelo at a surprising 6’8″ on their roster (h/t James Plowright/Twitter).
At 6’8″, Ball is as tall as Bismack Biyombo and taller than Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington and Miles Bridges. Only the team’s handful of true centers – Cody Zeller, Nick Richards, Jalen McDaniels and Vernon Carey – are listed as taller than Ball on the roster.
It also means he’s taller than Lonzo as well and is the tallest of the Ball brothers. Lonzo’s official listed height on the Pelicans roster is 6’6″.