"I didn't give a f**k where I got drafted to" - LaMelo Ball shares honest feelings on NBA Draft journey after tough overseas experience

LaMelo Ball has become a household name in the NBA world since being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 2020. However, before his rise as a perennial superstar in the league, Ball had a tumultuous road to the NBA. This was due to the unconventional route he took in his career that took him all over the world.

LaMelo, alongside his brother LiAngelo, played in a professional league in Lithuania. In 2018, the brothers experienced culture shock playing against locals in the Baltic country. After a year in Europe, Ball went to the NBL Australia, where he played for the Illawarra Hawks and further solidified his case as a top pick.

In an interview with SLAM Magazine, Ball looked back at his pre-NBA journey, as he felt relief that it was all behind him now.

“Honestly, after Lithuania, I didn't give a f**k where I got drafted to … It was bad, bro. Once you get through that, it was like, I don't care where y'all put me in. As long as I'm in the States and I got water, I'm good,” he said.

LaMelo’s journey was a result of his father Lavar Ball’s decisions. LaMelo said that the living conditions in Lithuania were a massive degrade from what he experienced growing up as a local hooper in Chino Hills, California.

He recalled that beds were too short for their growing bodies, while food was a struggle to consume. Ball took it as a challenge for him, humbling him to become the NBA superstar that he is now with the Hornets.

"You roll off to the left, you fall off. You roll off to the right, you fall off. MF calves hanging off the bed — not feet, calves hanging off the bed!” Ball said.

“Food was hard to eat out there. Hella cold. Nobody around. That’s pretty much when I just locked in. I’m like, 'Yeah, I don’t really need too much. Just get it done and grind.' That right there was big, I feel like. Sacrifice—you feel me? That’s what I looked at it as.”

He was eventually named the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-Star team the following year.

LaMelo Ball remains on pace for 30 PPG year in career-best season

After becoming an All-Star in 2022, LaMelo had two injury-riddled seasons. This year, playing as healthy as ever, Ball has been enjoying a career year.

He is averaging 30.1 points, his highest scoring average in his career, along with 5.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game.

Ball led the Hornets to a promising start early in the season until losses piled up once more. Charlotte has now lost their last six games and nine of their last 10. With still a lot of games left in the season, the Hornets can still turn around from their current 7-23 record.