5 reasons why LiAngelo Ball deserves an NBA Roster Spot

LiAngelo Ball is the latest Ball brother to be looking for a career in the NBA. After a successful high-school career alongside his brothers at Chino Hills High School, LiAngelo chose to forgo college basketball and has since had stints at the JBA and the G League. He was the Finals MVP at the 2018 JBA championship and most recently played for the Oklahoma City Blue before his summer league stint.

Currently a free agent, LiAngelo Ball has been linked with multiple teams in recent weeks with the Charlotte Hornets the obvious favorites. In this article, we look at five reasons why he deserves an NBA roster spot:

LiAngelo Ball is proving to us that he’s worth a league opportunity…that’s it. That’s all.I’ve seen both of Giannis’ brothers get looks and they’re not anything remotely close to as skilled as Gelo. That’s it. That’s all.

— Ry (@JustRyCole) August 15, 2021

Five reasons why LiAngelo Ball deserves to an NBA roster spot

LiAngelo Ball might be a newcomer to the NBA, but he has years of experience as a professional basketballer and enjoyed a successful summer league campaign. As things currently stand, a reunion with LaMelo at the Charlotte Hornets appears to be the most obvious destination for Ball for the upcoming season. In this article, we look at five reasons why he deserves a spot, as well:

#5 LiAngelo Ball has the experience

While teams might be reluctant to take LiAngelo Ball considering his father’s reputation, he has proven his worth over the years and looks set to be the latest NBA rookie to never play college basketball. His stint with the Los Angeles Ballers saw LiAngelo lead a team from the front all the way to the championship.

The Ball family, excluding Lonzo Ball.

The fact that he won the Finals MVP and has till date already played in three professional leagues means that the final Ball brother can play as well. While he might not be as talented as Lonzo or LaMelo, LiAngelo Ball can still do a job in the NBA, something his Summer League exploits prove.

#4 LiAngelo Ball has time to improve

Two of the most obvious faults that LiAngelo currently has in his game are the lack of a defensive game and athleticism. He is also not the quickest of players and is at his best on the offensive end of the court. Regardless, these are chinks that can be worked on and improved.

GELO LOOKIN LIKE THE GREATEST SHOOTER EVER 🤩 @LiAngeloBall (via @hornets)pic.twitter.com/HSYLCqdhZz

— Overtime (@overtime) August 12, 2021

A proper NBA coaching unit will most definitely want LiAngelo to bulk up and work on his overall athleticism. Ball can develop into a decent offensive guard capable of guarding the wings and is already a more than decent shooter. At the age of 22, he has time on his hands to develop his overall game and become a starter in the NBA.

#3 LiAngelo Ball is an efficient scorer

Ball will be disappointed after coming away with just over 17 minutes per game under his belt during the Summer League. As a result, he was not able to produce prolific games, but had a good impact off the bench in almost all of the matches that the Hornets played.

LiAngelo Ball in action for the Charlotte Hornets

LiAngelo averaged 9.6 points, 1.6 steals and two rebounds per game and shot at almost 38% from the field. While his numbers are nowhere near a finished NBA guard, he already seems to be good enough to make and impact off the bench, and should be able to win a roster spot for the upcoming season.

#2 LiAngelo Ball has the willingness to improve

LiAngelo is often described as the least talented of the three brothers, but the most hard-working as well. He is an all-round shooter capable of hurting opponents from any range, and was fifth in scoring and second in steals among the Charlotte Hornets' summer league roster and has the confidence and the ability to elevate to the next level.

Spoke w/#Hornets assistant coach Jay Triano, who said this of @LiAngeloBall: “Great kid. Love him. He was at the facility practicing everyday for two months to play in the Summer League. Shows a ton of character. He can shoot it, great feel, knack for scoring.”

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 15, 2021

Towards the beginning of his NBA career, LiAngelo is widely expected to be a role-player who comes off the bench. However, he has the skills and the efficiency as well as the drive to improve his defensive game, ability to drive inside consistently and overall athleticism as well. By doing so, LiAngelo Ball might not even be the worst Ball brother to play in the NBA.

#1 LiAngelo Ball is highly marketable

Criticism and a penchant for drama aside, the Ball brothers are among the most popular young NBA players in the world. LiAngelo Ball has the advantage of already having seen two of his family members making a name for themselves in the NBA, and he only has to follow suit.

LiAngelo Ball and Lonzo Ball sharing a happy moment together

Not only is LiAngelo Ball worth a roster spot, he is highly marketable with similar questions having been initially asked about his brothers as well. Regardless, it appears highly likely that LiAngelo Ball will soon receive a roster spot, with the Charlotte Hornets in the driving suit for multiple reasons.