LaMelo Ball will continue his career as the face of the Charlotte Hornets.
In a landmark deal for the franchise, the Hornets and Ball agreed to a five-year max rookie extension, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The deal is the first of its kind for the Hornets since Michael Jordan bought the franchise in 2010. No other player drafted during the Jordan era signed a max extension to his rookie contract.
The deal also represents a commitment to building around Ball from a new team ownership group led by former minority owner Gabe Plotkin and ex-Atlanta Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall.