LaMelo Ball commits to play in Australia next season

LaMelo Ball has NBA ambitions, but he’s going to spend next season playing in Australia.

With the draft this week, the paths to the NBA are starting to expand as the one-and-done rule surely reached its end within the next few years. On that note, during an appearance on ESPN’s The Jump Monday, LaMelo Ball announced he has signed with the Illawara Hawks of the NBDL in Australia. Jonathan Givony of ESPN added Ball will sign a two-year deal with NBA out clauses.

Ball, the No. 21 prospect in ESPN 100 class of 2019, played in Lithuania in 2018 so he is almost surely not able to play in college with NCAA eligibility rules. He returned to the U.S. this past season to play high school basketball at Spire Academy in Ohio, where he was coached by former NBA player Jermaine Jackson.

Ball will join fellow top 2019 prospect R.J. Hampton in the NBDL, as they each choose to play professionally somewhere for the year between high school and the NBA. Hampton, the No. 5 prospect in the 2019 class via ESPN’s rankings, signed with the New Zealand Breakers in May.

Looking to the 2020 NBA Draft, Ball has set his sights high and thinks the NBDL will get him ready for the physical rigors of the NBA.

"Next year I’m taking my talents to the NBL. I’m gonna play for the Illawarra Hawks. I just think it’s the best route for me. I’m trying to be the No. 1 pick for the 2020 draft. I heard they got great strength and conditioning though, so off the court that will be good. Then on the court, pros have been through there, so I think it’s all gonna help. It’s just best for me, I think."

Prior to the announcement, Givony had Ball ranked No. 33 in his most recent 2020 mock draft. With his playing situation for next season now clear, he will be projected as a first-round pick in the update to come after Thursday night’s draft.