Lonzo Ball is an American professional basketball player who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers as the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He currently plays for the New Orleans Pelicans as a point guard. His selection by the Lakers marked the first time that three brothers from the same family, including his younger brother LiAngelo, were all selected in a single NBA draft. Since entering the NBA, Lonzo has developed into one of the league’s most promising young players and has become a fan favorite both on and off the court. In this article, we will look at when Lonzo Ball was drafted and some of his accomplishments since joining the league.Lonzo Ball was drafted in 2017 on June 22nd.
2017 NBA Draft Selection of Lonzo Ball
The 2017 NBA Draft saw the selection of Lonzo Ball as the 2nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers. The point guard from UCLA had an impressive season in college and was widely considered one of the best prospects in the draft. His father, LaVar Ball, was also a big part of his success and made several public appearances during his son’s collegiate career.
The Lakers hoped that with Lonzo’s addition to their roster, they could turn around their fortunes and return to their former glory. They also wanted to capitalize on the star power that came with his family’s presence and give their team a much-needed boost in fan interest.
Lonzo made an immediate impact in his first season as he averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game while playing alongside veterans such as Brandon Ingram, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Brook Lopez. His play helped lead the Lakers to a 35-47 record and a playoff berth for the first time since 2013.
While Lonzo’s individual stats may not have been spectacular, it was his ability to make his teammates better that truly impressed everyone around the league. He had a knack for making timely passes and finding open shooters which allowed the Lakers’ offense to flourish at times during the season. His unselfishness was also praised by many NBA analysts who noted how he wasn’t afraid to defer to others when it came to taking shots or making plays for himself.
Lonzo’s rookie season with the Lakers showed why he was so highly touted coming out of college and why many people believed he could be part of a potential championship core in Los Angeles someday soon. While there is still much work to be done before this can become reality, it is clear that with Lonzo leading the way, anything is possible for this young team going forward.
Lonzo Ball’s Path to the NBA
Lonzo Ball is one of the most talked about young stars in basketball today. He has been in the spotlight since his high school days and has been generating a lot of buzz ever since. From his college career at UCLA to his current stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, Lonzo Ball has showcased his remarkable talent and potential on the court, making him a top prospect for many NBA teams.
Ball began his basketball journey at Chino Hills High School in California, where he led his team to an undefeated 35-0 season – the first in California history. His success earned him numerous accolades including being named a McDonald’s All-American and Gatorade Player of the Year. He also won several awards for his outstanding play in high school, such as being named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and earning a spot on multiple USA Basketball teams.
Following this success, Ball chose to attend UCLA for college, where he continued to excel on the court. He averaged 14 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds per game during his freshman season and was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year as well as an All-American. Moreover, he guided UCLA to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in three years and helped them reach the Sweet 16 round before ultimately falling to Kentucky in double overtime.
After two seasons with UCLA, Ball declared for the 2017 NBA Draft where he was selected second overall by his hometown franchise, the Los Angeles Lakers. As a rookie, he showed flashes of brilliance during an injury-plagued season but still managed to average 10 points and 7 assists per game with impressive shooting percentages from beyond the arc (41%).
Since then Lonzo Ball has developed into one of the league’s top point guards and is continuing to improve each year he is in it. With a unique combination of size (6’6″), length (7’0″ wingspan) and athleticism coupled with great passing vision and court awareness; it seems likely that Lonzo will become one of the NBA’s premier players very soon. Lonzo Ball’s path to becoming an NBA star may have been unconventional but it is certainly no less impressive – proving that hard work does pay off!
How Did Lonzo Ball Get Drafted?
Lonzo Ball was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He had an impressive college career at UCLA, where he earned First Team All-American honors and was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. His size, athleticism, and court vision made him an attractive prospect for teams looking to add a playmaker to their roster. He also had a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine, which helped to solidify his standing as one of the top prospects in the draft. Ball was selected by the Lakers with their first round pick and went on to have a successful rookie season, averaging 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game.
Ball has since become one of the most recognizable players in the league and has continued to improve his game each season. He is currently averaging 14.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field this season. His playmaking ability has been invaluable for a young Lakers team that is looking to build a championship caliber roster around him and fellow superstar LeBron James.
Lonzo Ball’s College Years Prior to the NBA Draft
Lonzo Ball entered college basketball with high expectations. A 5-star recruit out of Chino Hills High School, Lonzo was considered one of the top prospects in the nation. He chose to stay close to home and attend UCLA, where he was immediately inserted into the starting lineup.
In his freshman year, Ball quickly established himself as one of the top players in the country. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game while leading UCLA to a 31–5 record and a berth in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. His standout performance earned him numerous accolades, including Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Pac-12 honors.
Ball followed up his stellar freshman season with an equally impressive sophomore campaign. He averaged 16 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game while shooting 55% from the field and 41% from three-point range. Once again leading UCLA to another successful season, he was named First Team All-Pac-12 for a second consecutive year and was a consensus Second Team All-American selection.
By this point in his college career, Lonzo had firmly established himself as one of the top players in college basketball and a surefire first round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. On June 22nd 2017, he declared for the draft and was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA Scouts Take Notice of Lonzo Ball
The 2017 NBA Draft was filled with outstanding talent, but one player in particular caught the attention of scouts around the league. That player was Lonzo Ball. The 19-year-old point guard from UCLA had an impressive college career, and his unique skill set made him a coveted prospect.
Ball’s passing ability and court vision were on full display throughout the NCAA season, and he quickly became one of the most talked about players in the draft. He was lauded for his ability to make his teammates better, as well as his unselfishness on the court. His size (6’6”) and athleticism also made him a very intriguing prospect for scouts.
The Los Angeles Lakers ultimately selected Ball with the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He has since gone on to have a successful rookie season, averaging 10 points per game along with 7 assists and 6 rebounds per game. Ball has also shown that he is capable of taking over games when needed, including a triple-double against the Milwaukee Bucks in March 2018.
It is clear that NBA scouts took notice of Lonzo Ball’s potential during his time at UCLA, and it appears that they were right to be so high on him heading into the 2017 draft. He has already shown himself to be a special player at just 19 years old, and it will be exciting to see what else he can do in the future.
Lonzo Ball Enters the 2017 NBA Draft
Lonzo Ball, one of the most highly-touted prospects to enter the 2017 NBA Draft, has officially announced his decision to enter the draft. The 19-year old point guard out of UCLA is expected to be among the top picks in the draft and has generated a lot of buzz among league scouts and executives. Ball has already been compared to some of the greatest point guards in history, including Magic Johnson and Jason Kidd.
Ball had an impressive freshman season at UCLA, leading his team to a 31-5 record and a spot in the Sweet 16. He averaged 14.6 points, 6 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game and was named first-team All-American by Sporting News and USA Today. He also won numerous awards including Pac 12 Player of the Year, Pac 12 Freshman of the Year, and Wooden Award finalist.
Ball has all the physical tools necessary to excel at the next level. He stands 6’6” with a wingspan that stretches over 7 feet. His size combined with his court vision makes him an ideal fit for a modern NBA offense that relies heavily on ball movement and playmaking from its point guards. He is also an excellent shooter from beyond the arc, shooting 41% from 3-point range last season at UCLA.
Despite all his potential, there are still some questions surrounding Ball’s game that need to be answered before he can be considered an elite prospect in this year’s draft class. His decision making can be questionable at times as he averaged 4 turnovers per game last season at UCLA and will need to make better decisions with his passes if he hopes to succeed at the next level. Additionally, his lateral quickness could use some work as he tends to get beaten off the dribble by smaller guards who can get around him more easily.
Regardless of these concerns, Lonzo Ball is still one of most exciting prospects coming out this year’s draft class and should make an immediate impact on whatever team drafts him come June 22nd.
Lonzo Ball Gets Selected as the Second Overall Pick in 2017
On June 22, 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft. This move made Ball the highest drafted point guard in franchise history. After being selected, Ball said he was excited to join the Lakers and that he wanted to help bring back a championship to Los Angeles.
The selection of Lonzo Ball was a controversial one due to his father, LaVar Ball, and his insistence that his son be drafted by the Lakers. LaVar had been vocal about wanting his son to play for Los Angeles and had also made comments about other teams not wanting Lonzo. Despite this controversy, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson expressed confidence in their decision to select Lonzo Ball.
The pick of Lonzo Ball began a turning point for the franchise as they looked to rebuild after several tumultuous seasons. The addition of Ball provided them with an explosive playmaker who could help push them back into contention, especially when paired with other young talent such as Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma.
The selection of Lonzo Ball proved to be a wise one as he quickly emerged as one of the best point guards in the league. In his rookie season, he averaged 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7 assists per game while shooting 36% from three-point range. He also earned himself All-Rookie First Team honors and was named MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League after leading his team to victory there.
The selection of Lonzo Ball has paid off for both sides as he is now an established star in the league and has helped push the Lakers back into contention while also helping LaVar fulfill his dream of having all three sons play for their hometown team. This move set off a chain reaction that has led to notable success for both sides involved and will go down as one of Magic Johnson’s best moves as president of basketball operations for the franchise.
Conclusion
Lonzo Ball was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 2nd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. This was a huge moment for Lonzo and his family, as he was able to fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA. While Lonzo had a bumpy start to his rookie season, he has since become one of the most promising young players in the league. His ability to run an offense, shoot from deep, and play lockdown defense have all been on display this season. With Lonzo’s continued growth, it’s likely that he will be an All-Star caliber player in no time.
The Lakers have been incredibly pleased with their decision to draft Lonzo Ball. He has become a leader on and off the court, and is one of the most important players on the team. This is only the beginning for Lonzo Ball, and there is no telling how far he can go in this league.
