The race for the top spot in the 2020 NBA Draft’s No. 1 pick has been one where no prospect has separated themselves. The trio of Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball figure to be the trio most likely fighting for that spot with a few other outside options.
After a suspension and a fine levied by the NCAA, Wiseman eventually left Memphis to focus fully on entering the NBA Draft. Edwards has had flashes this season but has not strung together enough strong performances to become the undoubted top pick.
The one advantage Ball has over the competition, though, is his star power. Take, for example, the trio’s followers on social media. Ball comes in at 5.1 million, Wiseman is at 163,000 and Edwards is at 128,000.
That factor is one LaVar Ball brought up during a recent interview with Fox Sports Australia as to why LaMelo will be the No. 1 pick.
“He’s gonna be the No. 1 pick. When you come down to this, this is entertainment. This is entertainment. The bottom line is, this is entertainment. You’re usually gonna take the most popular guy, and you’re gonna take the best guard. Melo’s both of them.
“Ain’t none of them known like Melo. If you’re an owner, and you get a guy, you better put somebody in them seats. If you look at the big picture, which comes down to that money thing, nobody’s like Melo; he’s worldwide. You can go anywhere – you can go to Moscow, Germany, Shanghai; he’s been to all those places – and you say Melo; go over there and say any of those other guys and see if they respond.
“That’s why there’s a difference. Melo goes any place and sells it out, breaking attendance records left and right. It ain’t by accident. There’s something special about this kid, and I’ve been knowing it since he’s been a baby. Now you guys are getting to see it, and the proof is in the pudding.”
While it shouldn’t be a deciding factor, Ball’s star power should and will be part of a team’s thought process when differentiating between the top prospects. Ball will draw large crowds wherever he lands similar to the crowds Lonzo drew in his first year with the Lakers.
Ball has already shattered records for the National Basketball League in both attendance and viewership. If he can do those types of numbers across the globe, it’ll intrigue teams to see what he can do stateside.
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