Tuesday saw the end of a fruitful, if not short-lived, partnership between LaMelo Ball and the Illawarra Hawks. The league’s biggest star left the Hawks on Tuesday to return to the USA and prepare for the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft, the team announced on its Twitter.
Illawarra general manager Mat Campbell released a statement alongside league commissioner Jeremy Loeliger noting the lack of need for Ball to stay in Australia with the Hawks out of the playoff chase and the season near end:
“With only four games remaining this season we understand LaMelo is keen to return home at this point in time to prepare for the most important phase of his career. He has taken huge strides as a player this season and there is a lot of interest in him ahead of the NBA Draft in June.
“LaMelo has had a big impact on our club and the league and we thank him for everything he has done for the Hawks and the Illawarra community. He has a very bright future ahead of him and the Hawks are proud to have played a part in that journey. LaMelo and his team will always be a part of the Hawks family and we wish him the very best ahead of the NBA Draft.”
Loeliger also noted how much Ball’s stock rose in his one season in the NBL. DraftExpress’ latest mock draft lists him at No. 3.
“LaMelo’s draft stocks have significantly improved during the course of his season here in the NBL. He has shown his undoubted talent but also developed as a player and a person by spending time in a professional, world class league.
“Like all NBL Next Stars, we are proud to have played a part in his journey to the NBA and we look forward to maintaining a close association with him as he takes the next steps in his professional career.”
Ball finished his stint in the NBL with 12 games played where he averaged 31.3 minutes, 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists. His shooting percentages were rough as he finished with a 37.5% field goal percentage and a 25% three-point percentage.
But Ball closed his run in the league on a high note, notching back-to-back triple-doubles to become first the youngest player to record a triple-double then the first player to do it back-to-back in the league’s modern era.
His season was cut short, though, with a foot injury in early December.