NBL: LaMelo Ball a new internet sensation with an impressive stat line

The youngest son of LaVar Ball, LaMelo Ball has become a new social media sensation after playing his debut match and becoming the first NBL player in history to have a double-double with five assists and no turnovers. Ball reportedly opted to play overseas in New Zealand instead of attempting to get eligible for the 2019-20 college basketball season. He is also a potential top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. On October 06, he played his first regular-season game with the Illawarra Hawks against the Brisbane Bullets and finished the night with a stat line of 12 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals. 

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It was Ball and Aaron Brooks that had led a frantic fourth-quarter rally to pull the Hawks back into the game. The 18-year-old has an impressive stat line. However, he did finish the game shootings just 6-of-17 from the field and missed all five of his long-range attempts. LaMelo Ball also tied Josh Boone for a team-worst plus-minus of negative-17. It seemed that Ball had multiple chances to take the lead in the fourth before Brisbane eventually put the game to an end with its own run in the final minutes. 

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Not the first time

This is not the first time that Ball has gone viral while displaying his talent. Back in 2016, during Chino Hills High School's 47th straight win, Ball called his shot from halfcourt then calmly drained it as part of a 65-point performance against Foothill in the Rancho Mirage Holiday Invitational. In 2018, during the Junior Ball Association international tour, Ball again went viral when he put his defender on the floor, as his ankle-breaking move sent the crowd into a frenzy. 

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(With inputs from Agencies)