LaMelo Ball Done With Rest of Australian Season as He Prepares for 2020 NBA Draft
By Jerry Trotta
In case you haven't heard, LaMelo Ball is taking the 2020 NBA Draft incredibly seriously, and news emerged on Thursday morning concerning his future with the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian NBL that confirms that notion.
Ball's managerJermaine Jackson informed ESPN's Jonathan Givony via text that Ball will spend the next month or so rehabbing a bone bruise in his foot, which limited him to just 12 games this season.
In all likelihood, Ball has played his last game for the Hawks.
LaMelo Ball's season in Australia is over, his manager Jermaine Jackson told ESPN via text message. He will begin six weeks of rehab as he's been cleared for court work activity. Full story: https://t.co/F2uiIDyI2F
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 16, 2020
Ball's spectacular play for the Hawks has seen him emerge as a projected lottery pick in the 2020 Draft. Some scouts are even convinced that he will be selected with the No.1 overall pick when all is said and done.
In his first season in the NBL, the 18-year-old point guard averaged 17 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.7 steals in 31 minutes per game. He did, however, struggle shooting the rock, compiling a 46% mark from the floor, and a 25% clip from range.
LaMelo Ball is shutting down his Australian league season because he won't have time to rehab before the season ends.https://t.co/xT66BaeDtM
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 16, 2020
With the Hawks having just six games remaining on their schedule, it really comes as no surprise that Ball and his camp are opting to shut it down and prep for June.