There is an inherent pressure that comes along with being mentioned as the potential No. 1 pick in any year’s NBA draft. Some prospects crumble under that pressure (Anthony Bennett) and some flourish in the spotlight (LeBron James).
For LaMelo Ball, there is no pressure.
A remarkably calm Ball sat in front of a computer screen on Tuesday afternoon a little more than 24 hours before the 2020 NBA Draft, a draft that he may very well be the first name called on the night. And yet, he looked as calm as ever.
“I’m not going to lie, it feels like another day right now because I’m doing my same stuff,” Ball said. “I’m looking forward to it. I’ve definitely been working for it but I know there’s way more after that so I’m looking forward to that, too.”
It’s a remarkably enlightened response from someone who has had his maturity questioned multiple times over in the lead up to this draft. But even if the week of the draft has had muted luster and fanfare like much of everything across the globe due to COVID-19, all of this has become commonplace for Ball.
From the moment an undersized, underaged Ball skipped eighth grade to play with his brothers to win a state title, Ball was thrown into the limelight. In the five years since he suited up for Chino Hills, Ball has faced every bit of questioning, scrutiny, insults and compliments.
It’s likely led to his reserved demeanor publicly. His father has spoken for him and his brothers in the past but LaVar’s sons are distancing themselves from their father. When asked about LaVar’s role in the predraft process, LaMelo gave a revealing response about the backseat his father has been forced into.
“I mean, that’s my pops so he’s always going to be involved,” Ball said. “But pretty much just me, (manager Jermaine Jackson) and the team getting to it.”
Even if his father isn’t as involved now or as much as he was with Lonzo, LaMelo also credited him for getting him to where he is today.
“I mean he raised me, taught me the game pretty much and everything I knew since I was little,” Ball said. “I appreciate all that.”
His upbringing has been as unorthodox as they come, particularly his post-Chino Hills days, but it also still made him the cool-eyed kid with a huge following. The questions never rattled Ball, who spent 15 minutes on Tuesday fielding all sorts of questions with hardly an expression change.
“I just feel I am the right man for it,” Ball said of being the No. 1 pick. “Like I said, I feel like I am born for this whole thing going on.”
Ball noted he’s focused on enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime process. He confirmed that the Pistons, Hornets and Warriors were the only teams he worked out for and that he also spoke with the Knicks. The Timberwolves, owners of the No. 1 pick, remain the only franchise he’s met with twice.
He’s spent much of the pre-draft process, and much of the year, in Detroit working daily with manager Jermaine Jackson. He remained open to any role he may have next season and will do “whatever the coach ask me to do.”
Nothing about Ball screams immature or overwhelmed. He’s as reserved and concise in his answers as he is creative and free-flowing on the court. He looked eager to finish the interview and return to the court where he spends the vast majority of his days alongside Jackson.
His long days in the gym are the most normal thing about Ball. He’s a unique prospect with a unique upbringing that is uniquely qualified to handle the pressure and scrutiny of being the No. 1 pick on Wednesday night.
“I don’t look at anything like that as pressure,” he said. “Like I said, it’s just basketball. Being the No. 1 pick definitely holds a lot but I feel like I was born for it.”
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