LaFrance Ball is an American professional basketball player born on August 22, 2001. He plays for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Durning the 2020 NBA draft, LaMelo was picked up by the Hornets with the third overall pick. In 2021, LaMelo was voted the NBA Rookie of the Year.
LaMelo started high school at Chino Hills High School in Chino Hills, California. During this time, he won a state championship and achieved national success.
A coaching dispute caused him to leave Chino Hills and sign with Lithuanian professional team Prienai before his junior season.
LaMelo is the youngest son of LaVar and Tina Ball. Both of his parents are former college basketball players. His cousin Andre plays college basketball for Pepperdine.
LaMelo has been the subject of attention of national sports outlets and established a large social media following since his freshman season in high school.
Many analysts started calling him a celebrity by 2017. LaMelo has been a part of the Facebook Watch reality show "Ball in the Family." The show was launched in August 2017.
At present, the net worth of LaMelo Ball is somewhere around $20 million. He signed a 2-year $16 million contract with Charlotte Hornets.
Just before 2020 NBA draft, LaMelo signed long-term shoe deal with Puma that is worth $100 million making him the only rookie to sign a major sneaker contract from the 2020 draft class.