LaMelo Ball delivered a standout performance as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the New York Knicks, 114-103, on Thursday at Madison Square Garden in what could be a potential first-round preview. After the game, the Hornets’ star guard gave credit to his father, personality LaVar Ball.
LaMelo finished with 22 points, six assists and five rebounds, helping the Hornets snap the Knicks’ seven-game winning streak.
The guard said his poise under the bright lights stems from his upbringing.
“I feel like I was born for moments like this,” LaMelo said. “I’ve been hooping my whole life, second nature for real. I feel like my pops got me right for these moments right here, so I just come and do what I love.”
Before entering the NBA, LaMelo played professionally in Lithuania and starred in the reality TV series “Ball in the Family.” He also built a massive following on Instagram early in his basketball career and even released his own signature shoe.
Against the Knicks, that composure was evident, as he shot 7-of-14 from the field and knocked down four of his nine attempts from beyond the arc while committing just one turnover.
It was Kon Knueppel who led the Hornets with 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Brandon Miller added 21 points and eight rebounds, and Miles Bridges and Coby White chipped in 17 apiece.
LaVar Ball Claims LaMelo Ball is Most Popular NBA Player
LaVar Ball has built a reputation for consistently promoting narratives surrounding his sons. And although he has stepped away from the spotlight in recent years, that approach has not changed.
In a late February episode of the “Kiya Podcast,” LaVar claimed that LaMelo Ball is the most popular NBA player due to his global recognition and appeal among younger fans.
“He is known in 18 countries, he is young,” he said. “LeBron, KD, Steph Curry — all too old. Go find somebody who is 11, 12 years old and ask who their favorite player is. I guarantee it won’t be them.”
However, the level of popularity LaVar Ball attributes to his son is not reflected in jersey sales. According to the NBA, LaMelo is not among the top 15 best-selling jerseys this season as of January. The top five are Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Victor Wembanyama and LeBron James.
The Hornets also do not rank among the top 10 teams in NBA merchandise sales. However, they have drawn increased attention in recent weeks due to their surge into play-in contention and even the race for a guaranteed playoff spot.
