When Rookie of the Year frontrunner LaMelo Ball takes the court against LeBron James for the first time in his young career later this week, he says he doesn't expect to feel any added excitement competing against the 18-year veteran.
"I mean, nah," Ball, 19, told reporters on a videoconference call Tuesday ahead of the Charlotte Hornets' game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. "I grew up a little different. Not really on basketball like that. So, not really."
While his older brother, New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, modeled his game after James, looking up to the four-time MVP in his biddy ball days before eventually teaming up with him on the 2018-19 Lakers, the younger Ball said his basketball idol was his dad, LaVar.