WATCH: LaMelo Ball absolutely dominates prep school kids all on his own weeks ahead of 2022-23 NBA season
LaMelo Ball has firmly established himself as a franchise star in Charlotte.
The No. 3 pick heads into his third NBA season as Charlotte’s lead guard. Expectations have risen steadily and the positivity surrounding the Hornets also makes Ball and his team a must-see for basketball fans.
Ball’s younger brother finds himself the centerpiece around which Michael Jordan’s team is built. With second star Miles Bridges likely to miss the season, LaMelo and Co. are in for a challenging time.
Also read: Is LaMelo Ball already better than Chris Paul and James Harden? The Magic certainly think so.
Ball’s combination of scoring and world-class playmaking have helped him earn his league stripes. Many are expecting a LaMelo Ja Morant-esque blast from Season 3.
Recent footage also gives Hornets fans hope. Especially when it comes to Melo’s jump shot. LaMelo’s status at the top of the draft boards always came with an asterisk: Can he really shoot?
Melo’s funky jump shot mechanics didn’t help. However, once he arrived in the league, the concern more or less eased. Yes, with room for improvement.
And that seems to be the case with recent images.
How is LaMelo’s open gym fight with 1 on 1 Prep Academy?
1 on 1 Prep Academy is a LaMelo powered venture with Carolina Courts. The company aims to provide a pathway for student-athletes in the Charlotte area to thrive at a higher level.
LaMelo joined the academy prospects in an open fight at the gym recently. And the footage has been making the rounds on social media, naturally.
LaMelo Ball in the open gym with his 1 of 1 Academy team
– Israel (@iohandles) September 22, 2022
If the range and composure he displays in the video can be translated, one can expect a jump in Ball’s numbers across the board. Space has been a bug in the Hornets’ system and Ball expanding his shooting capabilities bodes well for the property.
Can Ball prove the video isn’t just about men vs. boys and turn off the lights? An intriguing proposition indeed.
The video also shows how good an NBA pro is compared to high-level athletes at a non-NBA level. Perhaps critical Twitter fans process this information and also get a little annoyed at the unsolicited advice?
Also read: “I swear you are the ugliest, LaMelo Ball!”: Lonzo Ball hilariously went about his business in a clip showing a typical day at the Ball house
