As the standout rookie of the Class of 2021, LaMelo Ball headlines the 2021 Rising Stars Challenge roster, released by the NBA on Wednesday. Though the league will not play the Rising Stars Challenge game this season during All-Star weekend due to COVID-19, the NBA released the rosters to honor the performances of the players.
Heading into the final regular season game of the first half of the regular season for the Hornets, Ball is averaging 15.7 points, 6.4 assists and 6.0 rebounds in 34 games, one of just two players to play in every game for Charlotte this season. Since moving into the starting lineup, Ball’s averages have jumped to 20.8 points, 6.8 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 34.5 minutes per game.
Over the season as a whole, Ball is shooting 44.6% from the field and 36.7% from 3-point range. Again, both of those figures are higher since becoming a starter with Ball shooting 46.0% overall and 43.0% from range.
Ball has taken home both of the Rookie of the Month awards for the Eastern Conference this season with February’s award being named on Tuesday. Tyrese Haliburton, one of the other headliners of the rosters, has taken home both Western Conference awards.
Due at least partially to the Rising Stars Challenge not taking place this season, Ball declined to take part in the Skills Challenge at the All-Star Weekend.