LaMelo Ball named as All-Star replacement, makes it history

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball made some history after being named to the NBA All-Star Game.

The NBA announced all of the participants for the 2022 All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio, with Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant being one of them. However, due to him being sidelined with an MCL sprain, he is unable to participate. The NBA announced his replacement for the All-Star Game, and it is Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball.

With Ball being named to his first All-Star Game in his second year, he now made history. He is now the fourth-youngest player to be named to the NBA All-Star Game, sitting behind Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and LeBron James.

LaMelo Ball fourth-youngest player to be named to NBA All-Star Game

In addition to this distinction, Ball, 20, is now the youngest player to participate in the All-Star Game since James did so as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005.

Ball was one of the top prospects in the 2020 draft class. He fell to the third-spot and drafted by the Hornets after the Minnesota Timberwolves took Anthony Edwards and Golden State Warriors selected James Wiseman.

In his very first year, Ball played at a high level and helped Charlotte reach the play-in round, despite missing time with a wrist injury. Ball averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists through 51 games. Those numbers helped Ball win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award.

This season, Ball has put up an average of 19.5 points, 7.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 42.1-percent from the field and 35.7-percent from the three-point line through 48 games.

Ball has joined some great company after earning his first All-Star Game nomination.