LaMelo Ball wins NBA Rookie of the Year honors

LaMelo Ball is the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year.

The Charlotte Hornets guard got 84 of 99 first-place votes and was named the top rookie on Wednesday night.

Reacting to the news, Ball noted that he set lofty ambitions for himself this season.

“Honestly, way before the league when I was playing basketball and they were talking about the NBA stuff, that is when I knew when I’m a rookie that is one of the accomplishments I can get,” the 19-year-old Ball said.

In 51 games, LaMelo Ball averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds. Among rookies, he was No. 1 in assists and steals. Bell received Rookie of the Month accolades three times during the NBA season.

The other finalists were Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton. Edwards averaged 19.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 72 games. Haliburton posted averages of 13.0 points, 5.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 58 games.

LaMelo Ball makes big splash

In LaMelo Ball’s 10th NBA game, on Jan. 9 against the Atlanta Hawks, he notched his first triple-double (22 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) in the NBA. That feat made him the youngest player in league history to do so.

And how did Hornets coach James Borrego react to what Ball, the the third pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, accomplished against the Hawks?

“A 19-year-old rookie does not look like this,” Borrego told reporters. “This is rare what you’re seeing.”

Looking ahead, the young pro has big ambitions.

“I’m looking forward to next season and trying to get better,” said Ball, who played in Lithuania and Australia before joining the Hornets.