It’s rare for a family to have multiple Division I-caliber basketball players. It’s even more rare for a family to have multiple professional basketball players. The Ball family is the rarest of the rare. With Lonzo Ball already in the league, LaMelo set to join him in a couple months and LiAngelo on the fringes of the league, LaVar has seen three sons play professionally.
Naturally, even if unfairly, the three brothers are constantly compared against one another. Lonzo has long been the unquestioned best player of the family while LiAngelo’s journey through professional basketball has been long and winding. LaMelo has taken a backseat as he’s made his way through high schools and multiple professional leagues but is finally ready to join Lonzo in the NBA.
Comparing Lonzo and LaMelo has remained difficult due to the latter’s unique path to his current position. However, with the younger set to enter the NBA, the comparisons have picked up in frequency, including from veteran CBS Sports writer Gary Parrish. Having picked him as the top pick in his latest mock draft, Parrish went on further to say that LaMelo would be the best player in the family.
“Simply put, I think at the top — as I’ve explained before — of any draft, the guy who should be selected is the player that has the most potential to be a multi-year future All-Star. And in my opinion, and reasonable people can disagree on this, but in my opinion, that guy is LaMelo Ball.
“He has just developed into a terrific playmaker, somebody who can dribble, pass and shoot. Incredible size for his position. Once upon a time, known largely as LaVar son, Lonzo’s little brother. But now it looks like he is going to be the best basketball player from that family. And if he goes on to, again, be a multi-year All-Star, that won’t surprise me a bit. He’s a terrific prospect.”
Well LaMelo is a supremely talented player, comparing him to Lonzo seems a bit premature and saying he will be better is a bit of a disservice to his eldest brother. Lonzo was a No. 2 overall pick who has not just carved out a niche in the NBA but has become a solid NBA role player this season.
While some may say that’s underwhelming for a No. 2 pick, becoming a consistent contributor in the NBA is no simple task for any draft pick. LaMelo is set to be picked near the top of the draft like Lonzo and will have many of the same expectations. If he does realize his potential, he could become a multiple time All-Star. But, for now, he’s a prospect aiming to find his way in the league while Lonzo already found his.