The path to the NBA for LaMelo Ball might be a template for others to follow, though few people have a father like LaVar Ball.

The youngest Ball brother forewent college, playing overseas and nationally in his father’s developmental league, honing his skills and parlaying that into a Third Overall Pick in the 2020 Draft.  Many predicted that LaMelo would become the best in the family, and early in his career, that appears to be the case.

Ball started the 2020-21 Season on the bench, but the Hornets gave him more time and the starting position at Point Guard by mid-season.  Ball won the Rookie of the Year award, averaging 15.7 Points and 6.1 Assists per Game.  He progressed as a sophomore, representing Charlotte in the All-Star Game, averaging 20.1 Points per Game and finishing in the top in Assists (7.6) and Steals (1.6) per Game.  Ball was injured for most of the last three seasons, playing only 105 Games, but averaging 24 Points per Game when he is on the court.

If the Hornets can hold on to Ball for a decade, he should make the top of this list; that is, provided he stays healthy, which, as of this writing, is a big ask.