Yeah, that's a REAL quote from LaMelo Ball's new high school basketball coach Jermaine Jackson -- who says he's so excited about the young player, it's like Magic Johnson all over again.
LaMelo, along with Jackson and LaVar Ball, just hosted a media event at the Spire Academy in Ohio where the 17-year-old will play this season ... and they're HYPED UP!
"Like Magic Johnson said in the 80s, don’t look down because you might miss something," Jackson said about Ball ... "It’s showtime baby!"
LaVar added this message to the Ohio media -- "Since LeBron left, I brought you a Ball boy.