It was just a couple weeks ago that the Rookie of the Year race was up in the air. The #1 pick Anthony Edwards was starting to hit his outside shots which opened up athletic forays to the basket. That saw Edwards go for double figures scoring in seven straight games. The #2 pick of this past draft, James Wiseman, was making unbelievable plays that showed off what seemingly looks like unlimited potential.

The #3 pick LaMelo Ball showed off his top tier passing early on, but struggled with shooting and turnovers. Since that inconsistent start coming off the bench for the Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo’s play improved so much that he now starts for the franchise that drafted him and he’s showing out — quickly making the Rookie of the Year race a runaway in favor of LaMelo at least according to several NBA betting sites that make their living making odds of such things.

Over the previous eight NBA games (in which he started the last six), LaMelo is showing he’s more than just fancy passes and flair. He’s averaging 21.6 points per game and doing that on 49% shooting from the floor and 44% from three. On the season he’s averaging over six assists a game.

That’s all to say, we’ll be seeing more of LaMelo. His profile and visibility looks to be just getting started and we’ll be watching him for the next couple decades.

LaMelo Ball’s Stats in Lithuania and Australia

LaMelo’s maturity and level of play in the NBA is surprising some people, but when you think about LaMelo’s last three years, it all starts to make sense. Instead of going the traditional American college route, the youngest Ball played professionally overseas in Lithuania then in Australia, starred in his own reality show and was one of the faces of his own shoe brand. That’s to say LaMelo’s already experienced a lot in his short 19 year life.

With all things equal, you can see LaMelo’s growth in the two seasons he played overseas.

While in Lithuania, Lamelo Ball averaged 6.5 points, 1.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in eight games with BC Vytautas (also known as BC Prienai, Prienu CBet or CBet Prienai).

Even with an impressive debut on his Lithuanian team, LaMelo (along with his brother LiAngelo) would ultimately exit Lithuania early after three months in the Eastern European league. Pulled out by father LaVar who was frustrated with LaMelo’s playing time. The younger Ball’s reputation took a hit on the way out being described as “lazy and arrogant” and never “bought in” on and off the court.

“It’s just proof they came here to make a show, not for basketball.” said Vytautas head coach Virginijus Seskus. “It’s sad they didn’t understand what we gave them. We understand how they helped us, but they don’t” reported by Lithuanian outlet 15min.lt (via ESPN).

It’s true that LaMelo’s minutes were inconsistent and barely played against the more advanced teams in league play (LKL), but he was just 17 years old playing alongside established players.

Whatever happened in Lithuania, we’ll never truly know, but it proved to be an invaluable experience for LaMelo. “I feel it helped me in the long run.” said LaMelo about his experience in Lithuania. “I grew up a lot. After doing that I felt I could go anywhere.”

LaMelo game, stats grow in Wollongong

LaMelo would move on to play for the Ibarra Hawks in Australia’s rough-and-tumble NBL. His one season saw his averages improved significantly.

Playing twelve games for the Illawarra Hawks, the 6-6 slight LaMelo managed to average 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. Even though the Hawks would lose all but three games, Ball proved that he could not only play professionally, but excel; taking a huge leap forwatd as one of the top prospects for the 2021 NBA Draft.

Playing professionally was the right decision

No matter how much drama followed them overseas, whatever you think of LaMelo’s game when he was in high school, or your opinions of LaVar Ball’s chaotic behavior, the fact that they chose to go get international experience instead of taking the more traditional route turned out to be a great decision for LaMelo’s basketball career in hindsight.

We believe LaMelo would have struggled more in his NBA rookie season had he not played in an international professional league against grown, fully-formed men that were in their 20’s and 30’s as a 16, 17 and 18 year old.

As NBA fans, we’re rewarded with a much more polished and mature LaMelo Ball because he was across the ocean learning by making youthful mistakes, taking bad shots, playing limited minutes while in Lithuania and Australia and being humbled as a fish out of water.

That experience turned him into a top draft pick. Many of real experts, including Jonathan Givony, referred to Ball as “a no-brainer for the #1 pick” and “the most-talented player in the draft”. Even though he was eventually drafted third, we’re all benefitting by being able to witness LaMelo Ball’s exceptional talent. And that’s in large thanks to a couple turbulent seasons playing internationally.