LaMelo Ball and Onyeka Okongwu’s relationship has been an oft-discussed topic heading into the 2020 NBA Draft. The former Chino Hills teammates remained best friends even after Ball left to play professionally all over the globe.
Their wildly different paths converged on Wednesday as Ball was selected with the third pick by Charlotte and Okongwu with the sixth pick by Atlanta, becoming the second and third members of the 2015-16 Chino Hills side to be top-6 draft picks.
Ball revealed to Fox Sports Southeast’s Ashley Shahahmadi that he and Okongwu had a conversation on draft night and discussed what it was like to see his former teammate be drafted shortly after him.
“I told him I was proud of him, congrats and all that. Had a cool little convo and same with him.”
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“It’s amazing to see, too, obviously and seeing how hard he works and everything and his goals and dream coming true. It’s amazing to see.”
Okongwu himself spoke about being excited to play the Ball brothers this season. He’ll have many chances to face LaMelo as the Hornets and Hawks are division rivals.
More than that, though, Okongwu has also shared some of the same sentiments of pride and friendship with LaMelo. In his media availability ahead of the draft, Okongwu spoke of being happy for Ball as well.
It’s rare to see a pair of close friends like Ball and Okongwu make the NBA, just as it’s rare to see a pair of brothers as top-five draft picks. All of it makes it a very easy story and a group of kids to root for.