LaMelo Ball’s time in the National Basketball League (NBL) officially came to an end on Thursday. With a foot injury still needing time to heal and a franchise in Illawarra slipping further and further out of content, Ball’s manager Jermaine Jackson confirmed to Fox Sports Australia’s Olgun Uluc that the youngest Ball sibling would be shutting it down for the season.
Ball’s short-lived NBL stint was as wild as it was brief. In 12 games, Ball averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 31.3 minutes per night. In his final two games with the Illawarra Hawks, Ball posted back-to-back triple-doubles, a record-breaking feat.
The young guard saw his role change many times over. After coming in expected by at least some to be a contributor off the bench, Ball started from day one. However, teammate Aaron Brooks had control of the offense through the first stages of the season until an Achilles injury ruled him out for the year.
Ball would grab hold of the keys of the offense for the Hawks and flourished, highlighted by his final two performances with the side. But his injury would come in practice following his second triple-double and as the timeline for his return extended, the Hawks continued to struggle in his absence making a return less and less likely.
Illawarra head coach Matt Flinn gave a statement to Fox Sports Australia on Ball and could hardly have been more pleased with Ball’s performance on the season.
“It’s unfortunate that it has to be shut down for injury. The kid was on a rapid rise of development, mostly due to the work we put into him with team concepts. The Ball camp, regardless of what happens, will owe us a great load of gratitude. I love LaMelo and have had a ball coaching him…. pun intended.”
For now, Ball’s immediate future is uncertain as to whether he’ll remain in Australia through the final weeks of the NBL regular season. Ball has been a regular on the sideline with the team during his recovery. But with his future now certain, Ball and his camp may return to America to finish the rehab process.
[lawrence-related id=19721,19717,19698]