NBA draft prospect LaMelo Ball has been working out in Detroit since March. Here’s why

Detroit Free Press

Omari Sankofa II
 
| Detroit Free Press

play
Show Caption

LaMelo Ball, a potential No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, isn’t from Detroit.

But the Chino Hills, California, native has been living and working out in the metro Detroit area since March, thanks to a connection with his manager.

His manager is Jermaine Jackson, a former Detroit Finney and Detroit Mercy star who was also an assistant coach at UDM 2015-18.

For subscribers: How will the Pistons approach their ‘retool’? Recent history can guide them

Ball has been spotted on social media at various Detroit institutions this year, and he was at a gym in the city Monday when he addressed reporters via Zoom. 

There’s a good chance Ball won’t be available when the Pistons pick at No. 7 in November’s draft, as he’s widely projected to be a top-four pick. But if he were to fall (or if the Pistons moved up), he’d already be familiar with the area. 

[ Pistons should target these 5 prospects in 2020 NBA draft ]

“I definitely always had that mindset, but you know how it is out here,” Ball said when asked if he’s been able to adopt the “hard-nosed” mindset that Detroiters have. “So that’s only going to help, too.” 

Ball, who participated in the NBA’s virtual draft combine media sessions on Monday, is one of many players likely near the top of the Pistons’ draft board. He’s widely regarded to be the best point guard prospect in this draft, and point guard is a major positional need for the Pistons. 

He said he hasn’t talked to the Pistons, and it’s unclear if he will. But Ball declined to confirm if he talked to multiple teams when asked. The only team he confirmed he’s talked to so far is the New York Knicks, who have the eighth overall pick.

But he’s confident he can fit in with any team. 

“With any team, I’ll give my best,” he said.

[ Pistons trying to build culture with top pick. Here’s what that means ]

Ball met Jackson in 2018, when Jackson coached Ball at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio. Jackson then moved with Ball to Australia during the summer of 2019, after Ball signed a contract with the Illawarra Hawks. Ball averaged 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.6 steals last season, solidifying himself as one of the best prospects in the draft. 

Even though he’s called Detroit home for six months, Ball made it clear that he views himself as being worthy of going No. 1. 

“Ever since I was little, when you do little projects and stuff, that was one of my goals,” he said. “To go to the NBA and be the No. 1 pick.”

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can gain access to our most exclusive Pistons content. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.

Articles You May Like

Final: Jaden Ivey and whatever’s left of the Pistons dismantled by the Knicks in NYC
2024 NBA Draft Profile: Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht complements the Pistons offense

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *