Hanging on to his NBA dream, LiAngelo Ball is not discouraged | NBA

LiAngelo Ball has been one of the attractions of the Summer League, by name but also by his complete game, or his basket to the buzzer of the midfielder which made the buzz. But at the end of the Hornets’ campaign, punctuated by five losses, nothing has changed for the brother of Lonzo and Lamelo Ball, who shot 9.6 points and 2 rebounds per game.

The latter spoke with The Athletic to give his news, recalling all the pitfalls that had littered his career so far, starting with an ankle operation in July 2019, then his ousting from the Pistons during the training camp »Preparation for the 2020-2021 season. So many steps that only strengthened his determination.

“I stayed focused, I hung on. I knew I wanted to get into the NBA. I continued to train. If I wanted to take the next step in the NBA, I had to be 100% because the season is long. I made sure to do my rehabilitation and workout every day. I just kept my head in the handlebars and kept pushing. I don’t care what people say. I just stick with what I know. I have always been motivated to join the NBA. Since I was little, I have never changed my mind on this subject. Even when the Pistons cut me off, I know I always wanted to play in the league. I didn’t let all of this deter me. “

Unfailing confidence

The full-back, who also stood out by ending up in jail in Shanghai after being suspected of shoplifting and then getting kicked out of UCLA to land in Lithuania in the 2017-18 season, remains focused on his main goal, basketball.

“It all made me who I am today. I have faced so many things. I’ve heard it all, both good and bad. Nothing really bothers me. I have tough skin. When I play today, I keep the same energy. Of course people judge me. I was young, I don’t look back. I learned from it and kept moving forward. I’m not going to let a decision ruin my whole life ”.

To try to change his image, LiAngelo Ball was particularly attentive and received congratulations from the staff of the Hornets on this point. With his game that he considers complete, and good behavior, the “Ball Bro” still hopes to land a first contract in the NBA.

“I just listen to my coaches. I can do whatever they ask me to do. If they want me to get the ball back and score, I can do it. If they want me to get off the screens, I can. I just make sure I work on everything, so that when they ask me to do something, I’ll be 100% and ready to do it ”, he added. “I just know I have to go my own way. I can’t do what LaMelo and Lonzo did because they had different paths. I know I had to keep my feet on the ground and stay focused. I felt at home in Charlotte ”.