How Old Is LaMelo Ball, and Is He Single?
Although Charlotte Hornets’ star LaMelo Ball has missed 15 games due to an injured wrist, he’s still a favorite to win Rookie of the Year honors. How old is the NBA player, and is he single?
How old is LaMelo Ball?
Born Aug. 22, 2001, in Anaheim, California, 19-year-old LaMelo LaFrance Ball started playing basketball at the age of four with his older brothers, LiAngelo and Lonzo.
As a seventh-grader, he played alongside his brothers on Big Ballers VXT, an amateur league coached by their father, LaVar. When the youngest Ball got into high school, he started as a freshman, scoring 27 points in his debut game.
The player led his team to an undefeated record and won the mythical national championship. He then scored 92 points in a game as a sophomore; the second-most points scored in a single game in California basketball history.
Before his junior year, the player left the school because his dad didn’t approve of the new head coach.
LaMelo Ball played professional basketball before the NBA
Instead of playing for another high school, the 16-year-old agreed to play for the Lithuanian Basketball League team, Prienai, alongside his brother, LiAngelo, reportedly making him the youngest American athlete to play professionally.
During his first season, LaMelo injured his leg, preventing him from playing for a month. However, he never returned because LaVar thought his son should receive more playing time.
Shortly later, his dad launched the Junior Basketball Association, a league meant to serve as an alternative to the NCAA, and LaMelo signed with the Los Angeles Ballers.
The point guard averaged a triple-double per game throughout the season and was named to its All-Star team. However, the league didn’t last following the season. The basketball player returned to high school to finish his senior year.
Still, his previous professional experience hampered him as he couldn’t compete in the All-American game after being named MVP. Additionally, major NCAA Division I programs didn’t want to recruit him, despite his previous five-star recruit status due to his signature Big Baller Brand shoe, which threatened his eligibility.
After playing 12 games in the Australian-based National Basketball League, the ball player declared for the 2020 NBA Draft, where the Charlotte Hornets selected him third overall.
Does LaMelo Ball have a girlfriend?
In Feb. 2021, fans began linking the Hornets rookie with the Instagram model Ashlyn Castro.
A social media user claimed they reached out to her to congratulate her on their reported relationship and noted the model “liked” before deleting her comment.
The user uploaded a screenshot of a direct message from Castro where she apologized for deleting the remark but said she did so because she removes “comments that are about other people, especially my friends.”
While she confirmed their friendship, neither has commented on a possible relationship, and they haven’t posted any pictures together. Therefore, it’s assumed he’s single.
LaMelo Ball’s net worth
Launched in 2017, the 19-year-old already has his own signature shoe, the Melo Ball 1 (MB1), making him the youngest athlete to land such a deal.
Additionally, he appeared in the Facebook Watch reality show revolved around his family, Ball in the Family.
With his third pick, Ball earned a $16 million contract. He also signed a deal with Puma, valued up to $100 million.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, the youngest Ball has a net worth of $10 million.
