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The trio of Ball brothers are well-known in NBA circles, and LiAngelo Ball is still making his way into the NBA to join Lonzo and LaMelo. LiAngelo Ball is signing a contract with the NBA G League, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
LiAngelo Ball will enter the G League draft that will take place on October 23rd, which is a new opportunity for him. Most recently, LiAngelo Ball was a member of the Charlotte Hornets' 2021-22 Summer League roster, where he averaged 9.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while converting 37.5 percent of his field-goal attempts, 34.5 percent of his threes, and 100 percent of his two free-throw attempts.
That five-game sample size is not much to work off of, and LiAngelo Ball has much more attached to his name than your typical G League draftee, but this was the next logical step. Here are three seasons why the G-League makes sense for LiAngelo Ball at this point in his career.
#3 Competing against NBA-caliber talent
LiAngelo Ball has a limited sample size of post-high school basketball for NBA teams to look through. He did not participate in any games for the UCLA Bruins after committing there, for reasons that will be dove into later, which is the most traditional competition for scouts to gage.
With a large sample size of how certain skills do or don't translate from the NCAA to the NBA, scouts have previous examples to work with. Drafting and adding players from overseas has become more common, and LiAngelo Ball did play 14 games in the Lithuanian LKL league with Vytautas Prienu.
Again, though, just 14 games isn't much to work off of, and the Lithuanian league isn't exactly scattered with future NBA players.
With his G League opportunity, LiAngelo Ball will get the chance to play in an environment closely monitored and well understood by the NBA's front office and coaching staff.
Also Read: Who are the Ball Brothers?
#2 Prove his maturity
It's easy for NBA teams to be scared of players that come with additional baggage. LiAngelo Ball has attracted media attention since he and his brothers played at Chino Hills. That could draw some pause and concern revolving around LiAngelo Ball's demeanor and potential sense of entitlement.
Lonzo and LaMelo have overcome those labels, but LiAngelo is fighting more of an uphill battle when he does not possess the same skillsets. On top of this, there was his issue that took place after he joined the UCLA Bruins on their trip to play a few preseason games in China.
Before the start of his freshman college season, LiAngelo Ball was arrested in China for reportedly stealing from a store. As a player already on the fringes of NBA talent, you would hope for reporting of an outlier work ethic or him being a great teammate, not being arrested.
Since then, LiAngelo Ball has seemed to have recovered and stayed out of trouble, but the further removed from those instances the better. Showing an ability to get through the less flashy G League, but his head down and grinding away, could shine a more positive light on his personality and mindset.
#1 Displaying his NBA skill(s)
Outside of all the extras attached to LiAngelo Ball, it's still not clear what his on-court contribution at the NBA level could be. If there is one at the moment, it seems to be his three-point shot - which just so happens to be one of the most valued skills in the modern game.
During his time in Lithuania, LiAngelo Ball averaged an impressive 41.2 percent from three on 2.4 attempts per game. Most recently, with the Hornets' Summer League roster, LiAngelo Ball converted 37.5 percent of his 29 total attempts in five games. High thirties and low forties in significant volume will surely catch the attention of NBA teams, and LiAngelo just needs to keep converting around those numbers.
Superb three-point shooting alone would be enough to cement an NBA opportunity, but displaying other skillsets would increase his chances. What other skills those are is still a question and a reason why the G League makes sense for LiAngelo Ball at this point. It gives him an opportunity to answer the questions that are currently attached to him against notable talent.
