LaMelo Ball, born August 22, 2001, is an American basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. Drafted third overall in 2020, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2021 and became an All-Star in 2022. LaMelo first gained attention at Chino Hills High School, playing with his brothers, Lonzo and LiAngelo.
He later played in Lithuania, the Junior Basketball Association (JBA), and Australia’s NBL before joining the NBA. Ball and his family gained media fame, with his father LaVar becoming a notable figure and launching Big Baller Brand.
RELATED: Dua Lipa Height: An Insight into the Pop Icon’s Stature
Table of Contents
Lamelo Ball Net Worth
LaMelo Ball has a net worth of $40 million and gained fame through the Facebook Watch reality show “Ball in the Family.” He currently plays for the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. Selected as the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, LaMelo soon signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Hornets.
Early life
LaMelo Ball was born in Anaheim, California, to LaVar and Tina Ball, both former college basketball players. Trained by his father from a young age, LaMelo began playing basketball with his older brothers, Lonzo and LiAngelo, facing much older opponents.
At age five, he briefly played flag football but focused on basketball. In 2013, as a seventh-grader, LaMelo joined his brothers on Big Ballers VXT, a 17-and-under AAU team founded and coached by their parents. The team played in local competitions, not on major AAU circuits.
Career
In December 2017, LaMelo Ball signed with Lithuanian team Prienai, becoming the youngest American to sign a professional basketball contract. After leaving Prienai due to limited playing time, he joined the Los Angeles Ballers in his father’s Junior Basketball Association (JBA) and led the team to a championship.
In 2019, Ball signed with Australia’s Illawarra Hawks, where he had a breakout season, earning NBL Rookie of the Year. Ball was drafted third overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 2020, winning NBA Rookie of the Year in 2021 and earning his first All-Star selection in 2022.
Personal life
LaMelo Ball, the youngest son of LaVar and Tina Ball, both former college basketball players, has gained national attention since high school. LaVar, a former professional football player, became a controversial sports media personality in 2017.
Ball starred in the reality show Ball in the Family and made headlines for his WWE Raw appearance. His signature shoe, the Melo Ball 1, launched in 2017, made him the youngest athlete with a signature shoe. In 2021, he signed with Puma. In May 2024, he was sued for allegedly hitting a child with his car, with a claim of over $25,000 in damages.
How much is Puma paying LaMelo Ball?
Just before the NBA draft, LaMelo Ball secured a long-term shoe deal with Puma reportedly worth $100 million. Notably, he was the only rookie from the 2020 draft class to sign a major sneaker contract prior to the start of the 2020-2021 season.
Conclusion
LaMelo Ball’s journey is a testament to perseverance, talent, and strategic choices. From international stints to the high-pressure NBA environment, his versatility and skill have cemented his place among basketball’s emerging superstars.
FAQs about LaMelo Ball’s Net worth
- How much is LaMelo Ball’s current net worth?
- As of 2023, LaMelo Ball’s estimated net worth is around US$22 million.
- Which brand has LaMelo signed a deal with?
- LaMelo Ball has signed a deal with PUMA worth $100 million.
- Does LaMelo own a signature shoe?
- Yes, LaMelo had a signature shoe called the Melo Ball 1 (MB1) launched by Big Baller Brand in 2017.
- How much does LaMelo Ball earn annually from the Hornets?
- Under his current contract, LaMelo earns an average annual salary of $8,899,069.
- Did LaMelo Ball change his jersey number for the 2022–23 NBA season?
- Yes, ahead of the 2022–23 NBA season, Ball changed his jersey number from 2 to 1.
