The Australian NBL is becoming a hotbed for young American talent, with news LaMelo Ball will turn out for the Atlanta Hawks next season.
Considered one of the brightest young prospects in the United States, the 17-year-old is ranked 21st on ESPN's 2020 NBA draft predictor.
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Ball is the younger brother of current NBA point guard Lonzo Ball, who was recently traded to the New Orleans Pelicans from the Los Angeles Lakers.
His signing with the Hawks comes weeks after the NZ Breakers snapped up top-five 2020 NBA draft prospect RJ Hampton as part of the NBL's 'Next Stars' programme, which offers an alternative pathway to the NBA.
Hampton turned down several high-profile college offers to advance his career in a professional league.
The Next Stars programme was introduced last season, after the Oklahoma City Thunder drafted Terrance Ferguson in 2017, after he elected not to go to college in the US.
Instead, he spent the 2016/17 NBL season with the Adelaide 36ers straight out of high school.
Brian Bowen Jnr became the first NBL Next Star, when he played for the Sydney Kings in the 2018/19 season. Bowen Jr is eligible for this month's NBA draft and is predicted to be picked in the second round.
"LaMelo is one of the most exciting and talked-about young players in the basketball world, and he is going to create enormous interest wherever he goes while he’s playing here in the NBL," said NBL chief executive Jeremy Loeliger.
"We're thrilled he is going to come to Australia and develop his talents with the Illawarra Hawks as part of our Next Stars programme, on his way to what we all hope will be a long and successful career in the NBA.
"Together with RJ Hampton, he will help attract more attention to the NBL, both in terms of fans and, importantly, NBA scouts.
"All of those scouts are also going to have the opportunity to see the rest of the incredible talent on display here in the NBL."
Newshub.
