LaMelo Ball Scared Off Timberwolves with Wild Claim in Pr...

By Alex Kirschenbaum

Contributing Sports Writer

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Before he was a frustrated All-Star stuck on a listless Charlotte Hornets team, LaMelo Ball was just a highly-regarded prospect heading into the 2020 NBA Draft.

With researched being conducted mostly over video calls due to the pre-vaccine COVID-19 pandemic rather than in-person workouts and interviews, several talented young players were wildly over- and underestimated.

Ball, a 6-foot-7 scoring point guard who spent his pre-draft season with NBL club the Illawarra Hawks, was regarded as an elite prospect heading into the draft, along with George shooting guard Anthony Edwards, Memphis center James Wiseman, Iowa State point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Florida State forward Patrick Williams, Auburn wing Isaac Okoro, and more.

More news: Hornets Star LaMelo Ball To Miss Multiple Weeks With Major Injury

During an interview with The Ringer's Zach Lowe and Rob Mahoney on a live, Minnesota-based taping of "The Zach Lowe Show," Timberwolves beat reporter Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic revealed why Ball was passed over by his local team. Ultimately, Edwards was drafted first overall by the Timberwolves, with Wiseman going second to Golden State.

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Not all of those players have worked out yet in the NBA. Ball was eventually selected with the third overall pick by Charlotte, but also interviewed with other top lottery teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves (who possessed that year's No. 1 pick) and Golden State Warriors (No. 2).

So far, Edwards and Haliburton have looked like the class of the draft, having both led their respective squads — the Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers — to Conference Finals appearances across each of the last two seasons, while each being named to two All-NBA appearances during their first five years in the league.

“So, we know they picked Edwards," Krawczynski said. "But that’s not my little nugget for you all. It’s why they picked Edwards. There were a million different reasons in their evaluation. But one of them was that they had an interview with LaMelo Ball during this process—trying to figure out, ‘Hey, is this the guy for us?’ And LaMelo… did not interview very well. One of the questions they asked him was: ‘Hey LaMelo, after you’re done playing, what do you see yourself doing? What kind of things do you aspire to?’ And LaMelo said: ‘I want to be President of the United States.’”

At the time, it felt like a bold proclamation, and ultimately it helped deter the Timberwolves from drafting Ball with the first pick.

In today's celebrity-obsessed political landscape nationally, it doesn't feel quite as far-fetched as it even did five years ago.

Ball has struggled with health and defensive issues thus far in his pro career, but when he has been available for Charlotte, he has put up some gaudy stats while offering "Sports Center"-worthy passing.

Through 14 healthy games for the 6-15 Hornets this year, the 24-year-old has been averaging 18.9 points (on a .378/.283/.875 slash line), 8.9 dimes and 6.1 boards per.

More news: Timberwolves Linked to Blockbuster Trade for Controversial $197 Million All-Star

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