Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball ranked in top 50 of ESPN’s best players of the 2022 season

Published

September 21, 2022

Rankings for ESPN’s top 100 players for the 2022 is almost complete and LaMelo Ball managed to crack the top 50.

The third-year rising star put the NBA on notice from day one and hasn’t looked back since. After earning Rookie of the Year honors in year one, he backed that up with an All-Star Game selection in year two.

Related: Predicting LaMelo Ball’s 2022-23 stats

Per the rankings, LaMelo landed at No. 41, sandwiched between Atlanta Hawks guard, Dejounte Murray (No. 42) and Zion Williamson (No. 40).

According to ESPN, “Ball is poised to make the leap in his basketball progression this season. He has shown improvement in each of his first two years and will be counted on even more as coach Steve Clifford takes the reins again in Charlotte.”

With a new coach in Clifford, it’s not out of the ordinary to believe LaMelo can vault into the top 20 by season’s end.

About the Author Published Sep 21, 2022

BRANDON WILLIAMS

Brandon Williams is an author, educator, basketball coach, and has been in sports media for over 10 years. He is the CEO and founder of Ball Exclusives. In 2018, Brandon assisted LaVar Ball and Big Baller Brand in the launch of its professional basketball league, the Junior Basketball Association (JBA League). Brandon was a key figure serving as the league's Director of Media Relations and in-game broadcaster for its live games. His debut book, The JBA League: A League of Our Own detailed a first-hand look of the highs and lows with starting a professional basketball league in a short period of time. In his free time, Brandon loves spending time with his wife and three children as well as playing basketball and golf.