LaMelo Ball’s unique path to the NBA led to many consequences, intended and unintended. While many prospects in a draft class have either played against one another during the college season or in the grassroots scene, Ball not playing for an AAU team or in college means his interactions on-court with his draft classmates has been virtually non-existent.
Still, Ball is popular enough a player that basketball fans and players alike are familiar with his game, including No. 1 pick and Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards. Prior to Friday’s meeting between the two, the first of their NBA career, Edwards mentioned he hadn’t met Ball but was a fan.
“I love his game but I have never met him,” he said. “We’ve been on calls together stuff because we both were potential No. 1 picks but I’ve never met him. But…I love his game. No problem with him.”
Minnesota will be as linked to Ball as well after opting to draft Edwards over him. Head coach Ryan Saunders had a role in evaluating him in the pre-draft process and spoke about Ball as well before Friday’s game.
“I’ve watched him this year but also during our draft process, too, and diving into what he can do,” he said. “His ability, at his size, to read defenses and play out of pick and roll, I mean he’s been doing that for a long time. One of his elite skills is making teammates better.”
The Timberwolves saw firsthand what Ball was capable of on Friday evening as Ball recorded another 20/10 game with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the 120-114 Hornets win. However, he and Edwards put on a show in the first half by trading baskets for a string of 14 consecutive points scored or assisted on.