Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 12:27 pm Post subject: LaMelo Ball ranked as five-star prospect, 13th overall in updated 2019 ESPN Top 100
In ESPN’s latest updated Top 100 for the Class of 2019, LaMelo Ball appeared back on the list for the first time in over a year, ranked as a five-star prospect at No. 13 overall.
Labeled as a point guard, Ball is third in the class nationally behind Oak Hill’s Cole Anthony and Pinnacle High School’s Nico Mannion. He’s also the top-ranked player born in California and the top-ranked player playing in Ohio.
ESPN also updated its scout report on Ball with his strengths, weaknesses and overall overview.
The strengths focus around his passing ability and his willingness to be a passer. It also touches on the instincts, which go hand-in-hand with his passing, and his range as a shooter. Ball is also a great finisher at the rim and has an all-around solid offensive game, as touched on in the report.
The weaknesses, not surprisingly, surround the defensive end of the court where Ball has flashed some of the same instincts that make him a weapon on the offense but lacks constant effort and focus on that end to be a difference-maker. Also, Ball’s frame is brought up as he’s listed at 6’6″ but just 180 pounds.
Overall, though, ESPN’s take on Ball is largely a positive one.
Quote:
He clearly has improved and is trying to fit in with his teammates at Spire Institute. Ball is an enormous talent who has to change his everyday habits which include intensity, making better decisions and being a more consistent shooter with a better quality of shot selection. It’s not certain where he will play next year. College is a doubtful option, but the G-league path could be a good option if he is serious about playing at the next level. An NBA talent for sure, but he will have to clean up some old habits to make a new jump in his game.
ESPN is the first site to include Ball back in their rankings in the Class of 2019. With plenty of questions about his eligibility moving forward, many sites aren’t taking the time to analyze his game and rank him among other top prospects. With ESPN breaking the mold, though, other sites could soon follow.
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 4:24 pm Post subject:
I hope the analysis is correct about him trying to play within the team structure at Spire....I have yet to see film of him there. The last film I saw on the kid in the JBA and Lithuania....it was difficult to take him seriously or even near a #13 ranking.
I hope the analysis is correct about him trying to play within the team structure at Spire....I have yet to see film of him there. The last film I saw on the kid in the JBA and Lithuania....it was difficult to take him seriously or even near a #13 ranking.
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 10:42 am Post subject:
had a friend at a high school showcase in Cleveland last night to watch a WVU recruit playing for Kennedy Catholic (PA). Spire was in the final game of the night. He told me it was a great night of high school hoops.....said there were at least 10 D1 coaches there including Huggins. Then he said a few minutes before the Spire game started, Lavar busts through the door with a multi person camera crew following him....he said Lavar was doing everything in his power to make it about him, and said you could see the disgust on the coaches faces and several of them actually got up and left.
I know 'Melo will not be able to play college ball, but honestly I kind of feel bad for the kid. Lavar does all this to promote Lavar.
Spire did beat Lutheran East 118-96. 'Melo had 19 Points, 9 Assists and 5 boards. His teammate, Rocket Watts is the real stud on that team. He had 29 points last night....but dropped 64 the previous night.
had a friend at a high school showcase in Cleveland last night to watch a WVU recruit playing for Kennedy Catholic (PA). Spire was in the final game of the night. He told me it was a great night of high school hoops.....said there were at least 10 D1 coaches there including Huggins. Then he said a few minutes before the Spire game started, Lavar busts through the door with a multi person camera crew following him....he said Lavar was doing everything in his power to make it about him, and said you could see the disgust on the coaches faces and several of them actually got up and left.
Sad but not surprising. _________________
_____________________________________
#MPLStheoriginallakeshow
You mean does a 14 year old act like a 14 year old? No because he's older. _________________ How NBA 2K18 failed the All-Time Lakers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxMBYm3wwxk
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 1:05 pm Post subject:
VicXLakers wrote:
LakerLogic wrote:
Athleticism has improved significantly.
how about his attitude?
my friend told me it was fine on the court.....said he was mostly playing within the team scheme....getting the ball to his teammates, and not taking too many bad shots....said he does not really try on defense. He said during before game layups and shoot around.....all of his teammates are talking to each other in line and cracking on each other....just very loose, but said 'Melo keeps ear buds in the whole time (assume he is listening to music) and does not really interact with any teammates. He said he would be in the layup line....then just walk over and set on the bench by himself for several minutes....then get back in line. He said he could not speculate if he did not get along with his teammates, or just has that personality.....but said it appeared he definitely lacked the joy that his other teammates seem to display.
When it comes to guys capable of sparking some heated debates, especially in today's social media world, nobody can touch LaMelo Ball. People seem to really love him or really love to hate him. But, this isn't Twitter where every take has to be hot, this is a safe space where we are discussing what happened on the floor and the five-star was a lot of fun to watch on Thursday.
In comparison to the last time I saw Ball play in December (when honestly, he wasn't much fun to watch) the senior at Geneva (Ohio) Spire Academy was a totally different player. No, it wasn't a close game but he was the primary reason that Phoenix (Ariz.) Hillcrest Prep North had no shot within seconds of tipoff. He buried long threes, he finished on the break and he threw some high level passes. At one point, he hustled after a loose ball, lept out of bands to save it and whipped a one handed pass with his off (left) paw for a bucket under the hoop. It was absurd and probably the best pass I saw anywhere during this high school season.
It doesn't look like anybody is seriously recruiting him yet and who knows what his next step could be. But, he's proven again that he's legitimately talented and capable of playing the game at the highest level.
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2019 1:05 am Post subject:
are those limited # of 6 figure salary spots in the GLeague for high school students available next season? GLeague is his best option either way.....do not go back overseas....do not set out a year.....do not play in your dads fake league....just do a year in the GLeague, then he can get back on track.
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2019 5:33 pm Post subject:
Did you see the BBB High School All American game announcement? Lavar is literally having an All Star game for his son because he was not selected for any of the national All American games. He got one other player (Jaden McDaniels) that would be considered for traditional All American games.....many of the players on the rosters are not even 3 Star guys.
Did you see the BBB High School All American game announcement? Lavar is literally having an All Star game for his son because he was not selected for any of the national All American games. He got one other player (Jaden McDaniels) that would be considered for traditional All American games.....many of the players on the rosters are not even 3 Star guys.
Well, LaMelo was ineligible to be selected 'cos LaVar made him play overseas as a pro.
However, a report from November, roughly around the time Ball returned to school, suggested Ball may have been ruled ineligible for the McDonald’s All-American game due to his time in Lithuania, according to a member of the voting committee.
Quote:
“LaMelo Ball is a professional basketball player and has played professionally in Lithuania resulting in him being ineligible for the McDonald’s All-American Game.”
Did you see the BBB High School All American game announcement? Lavar is literally having an All Star game for his son because he was not selected for any of the national All American games. He got one other player (Jaden McDaniels) that would be considered for traditional All American games.....many of the players on the rosters are not even 3 Star guys.
I see it as a dad doing everything to promote his son, a very loud attention grabbing dad, but I understand
Did you see the BBB High School All American game announcement? Lavar is literally having an All Star game for his son because he was not selected for any of the national All American games. He got one other player (Jaden McDaniels) that would be considered for traditional All American games.....many of the players on the rosters are not even 3 Star guys.
Well, LaMelo was ineligible to be selected 'cos LaVar made him play overseas as a pro.
However, a report from November, roughly around the time Ball returned to school, suggested Ball may have been ruled ineligible for the McDonald’s All-American game due to his time in Lithuania, according to a member of the voting committee.
Quote:
“LaMelo Ball is a professional basketball player and has played professionally in Lithuania resulting in him being ineligible for the McDonald’s All-American Game.”
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2019 7:45 am Post subject:
governator wrote:
adkindo wrote:
Did you see the BBB High School All American game announcement? Lavar is literally having an All Star game for his son because he was not selected for any of the national All American games. He got one other player (Jaden McDaniels) that would be considered for traditional All American games.....many of the players on the rosters are not even 3 Star guys.
I see it as a dad doing everything to promote his son, a very loud attention grabbing dad, but I understand
if not for his great dad....he would not have to have his own All American game...he might actually get to play in a relevant one.
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2019 7:48 am Post subject:
MJST wrote:
saetarubia wrote:
adkindo wrote:
Did you see the BBB High School All American game announcement? Lavar is literally having an All Star game for his son because he was not selected for any of the national All American games. He got one other player (Jaden McDaniels) that would be considered for traditional All American games.....many of the players on the rosters are not even 3 Star guys.
Well, LaMelo was ineligible to be selected 'cos LaVar made him play overseas as a pro.
However, a report from November, roughly around the time Ball returned to school, suggested Ball may have been ruled ineligible for the McDonald’s All-American game due to his time in Lithuania, according to a member of the voting committee.
Quote:
“LaMelo Ball is a professional basketball player and has played professionally in Lithuania resulting in him being ineligible for the McDonald’s All-American Game.”
he was eligible in theory....the McDonalds AA game is beholden to any regulatory authority....he was not selected because too many other players would refuse to play if he played in fear of it affecting their amateur status and college eligibility.
Did you see the BBB High School All American game announcement? Lavar is literally having an All Star game for his son because he was not selected for any of the national All American games. He got one other player (Jaden McDaniels) that would be considered for traditional All American games.....many of the players on the rosters are not even 3 Star guys.
I see it as a dad doing everything to promote his son, a very loud attention grabbing dad, but I understand
if not for his great dad....he would not have to have his own All American game...he might actually get to play in a relevant one.
And if not for his dad he wouldn’t be the only player profiting off of a HS all star game and wouldn’t be one of the most famous high school athletes of all time in an era where fame is more lucrative than ever due to social media. He’s made his kids money and created a following around them that allows them to make more money in the future. Idk why that guy is considered so evil. He’s put a lot of pressure on the kids but I’d say the financial situation he’s put them in is well worth it.
Saying stupid (bleep) doesn’t make you a bad person or dad. On the other hand, supporting and providing opportunities for your kids makes you a good person.
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