LaMelo Ball may only be 28 games into his rookie season, but the Charlotte Hornets guard has already left quite an impression with his teammates and those within the organization.
Ball, who was the third overall pick, leads all rookies in scoring average (14.6), rebounding (6.2), assists (6.1) and steals (1.5) this season with the Hornets. His play to begin the season is a huge reason why he is the likely frontrunner to win Rookie of the Year at this point.
Perhaps most impressive, Ball has earned the respect of his teammates.
Dell Curry, who is an analyst for the Hornets on FOX Sports Southeast, has called games this season and has keenly noticed from afar that Ball has earned the trust of his teammates.
“I’m not able to be around the players and teams like I usually am, but I can tell by watching the team play every night, his teammates love playing with him,” Curry said in an interview with The Athletic. “He’s willing to learn. Willing to be coached. He doesn’t play with that sense of entitlement. He’s a professional already. I think maybe playing professionally last year helped him.”
The play of Ball this season has helped the Hornets out to a 13-15 start, good for eighth in the Eastern Conference. Prior to having two games postponed this week due to health and safety protocols, the Hornets had won six of 10 and were playing well as of late.
Charlotte certainly feels as though they have a team capable of reaching the playoffs this season, and they still have yet to fully click. With more time on the court together, they could be a team to watch.
“We got something to build on, build around,” Curry said. “It’s not just LaMelo. Terry Rozier is having a great year. The signing of Gordon Hayward. Devonte’ Graham started slow, but he’s starting to come back. You got a lot of young guys you can build around.”
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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