During an interview with NBA reporter Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford was asked to talk about LaMelo Ball. During the conversation, Clifford showered Ball with high praise.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s so unique in my time, just because of what you said, size, speed, quickness, and then shot creation and shot-making,” Clifford said about Ball. “He’s a terrific worker. He only got to play 36 games last year. He was coming off a significant injury, and he crushed it this summer.”
Ball appeared in only 36 games last season due to a fractured right ankle. The California native averaged 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 8.4 assists while shooting 41.1% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 83.6% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets Updates
“He just got cleared,” Clifford said. “He’s only been doing contact for about two and a half weeks. We’re being a little bit careful with him right now. He was great this summer with his treatment, with his rehab, with what he did in the weight room, and what he was able to do on the court.”
Ball has career averages of 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 7.3 assists. He won the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year Award and made the 2022 All-Star team.
“I think, obviously, our vision for him (Ball) is to be the elite point guard in the league or one of the two or three best point guards in the league, which he obviously has the talent to do,” Clifford said. “He has the work ethic to do it.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets Updates
The Hornets won only 27 games last season. Ball will have to stay healthy this season for Charlotte to compete for a playoff spot in the East.
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