Charlotte Hornets ahead Kon Knueppel provided perception into LaMelo Ball’s character, describing the previous franchise level guard as somebody who introduced power to the constructing whereas making a degree to acknowledge everybody within the group.
Talking about his expertise alongside Ball, Knueppel stated the two-time NBA All-Star made an impression by means of his every day interactions as a lot as his play on the courtroom.
“Yeah, he’s loud, however he is available in each day and he says good day to everyone. I imply like coach, energy coach, assistant coach, whoever’s cooking the meals within the meal room. So it’s simply cool to have individuals like that round,” Knueppel stated on Milwaukee Uncut Podcast, by way of HoopsHype.
Knueppel’s feedback spotlight a facet of Ball that usually goes unnoticed outdoors the locker room. Whereas Ball has constructed his status as one of many NBA’s most artistic playmakers, the rookie credited him for making a constructive setting by treating each member of the group with the identical degree of respect.
Ball spent six seasons with Charlotte after being chosen third total within the 2020 NBA Draft. He instantly gained Rookie of the Yr and developed into one of many league’s premier level guards, incomes an All-Star choice in 2022 earlier than persevering with to publish elite offensive numbers regardless of battling accidents in subsequent seasons.
He returned to a bigger workload in 2025-26, showing in 72 video games and averaging 20.1 factors, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds whereas capturing 36.8% from three-point vary and a career-best 89.9% from the free-throw line. Throughout 303 profession video games with the Hornets, Ball averaged 20.8 factors, 7.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds.
Knueppel additionally loved an excellent first NBA season. The No. 2 finisher in Rookie of the Yr voting averaged 18.5 factors, 5.3 rebounds and three.4 assists in 81 video games whereas capturing 47.5% from the sector, 42.5% from three-point vary and posting a 60.1% efficient field-goal proportion.
The rookie emerged as one in all Charlotte’s prime offensive choices alongside Brandon Miller, who led the workforce with 20.2 factors per recreation. Ball completed an in depth second in scoring, giving the Hornets one of many Jap Convention’s most promising younger cores throughout their 44-38 marketing campaign that ended within the Play-In Event.
That group, nevertheless, didn’t stay collectively for lengthy.
Earlier this offseason, Charlotte traded Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves in alternate for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round decide, three first-round decide swaps and three second-round alternatives. The transfer marked a major shift in path for the franchise, which is now constructing round Knueppel, Miller and a rising assortment of future draft belongings.
