Despite the NBA yearning for his inclusion in the abbreviated All-Star weekend, LaMelo Ball has reportedly opted out of taking part in the Skills Challenge in the 2021 All-Star Weekend. After a report in mid-February from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski indicated the league wanted Ball involved in the Skills Challenge, Ball was indeed reportedly invited to participate.
However, per Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, Ball turned down the offer from the NBA due at least partially to the league also not having a Rising Stars game in the revamped All-Star weekend.
Ball has quickly become one of the league’s most exciting young players in the league and appears to be a runaway for the Rookie of the Year after securing his second straight Rookie of the Month award for the Eastern Conference.
Interestingly, Ball’s teammate Miles Bridges also opted out of an event during All-Star weekend as well, choosing not to take part in the Slam Dunk contest, also reported by Haynes on Tuesday.