On ESPN’s The Jump, Ball announced that he’ll be playing professionally with the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League next season. He later told Rachel Nichols that he wants to be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
"I'm trying to be the No. 1 pick for the 2020 draft."
LaMelo Ball announces on The Jump with @Rachel__Nichols that he will play in Australia's NBL for the Illawarra Hawks next season. pic.twitter.com/G9z4bCl4E5
— ESPN (@espn) June 17, 2019
LaVar antics aside, this should be great for everyone. LaMelo can play a lot of minutes with Illawarra, against former/fringe NBA players in a physical league that will push him. The NBL gets a massive marketing boost. And other NBL players will now have more NBA eyes on them.
LaMelo Ball is joining the same league as Little Elm star RJ Hampton. Hampton’s decision to pursue an international professional year instead of NCAA one-and-done might’ve signaled a new trend for NBA hopefuls.
IT'S OFFICIAL! 👊
Welcome LaMelo Ball to the Hawks family!@MELOD1P x #FlyAsOne 🦅
— Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) June 17, 2019
