Kaagad na nag-iwan ng marka sa NBA ang rookie point guard ng Charlotte Hornets na si LaMelo Ball.
Ito’y makaraang itanghal si Ball bilang pinakabatang player sa kasaysayan ng liga na nagtala ng triple double na 22 points, 12 rebounds at 11 assists upang tulungan ang Hornets na magapi ang Atlanta Hawks 113-105 para sa kanilang ikatlong sundo na panalo.
“A 19-year-old rookie does not look like this,” wika ni Hornets coach James Borrego. “This is rare what you’re seeing.”
Ang makasaysayang performance ni Ball ay dalawang araw lamang matapos na muntikan na rin itong maglista ng triple-double nang magtapos ito na may 12 points, 10 rebounds at siyam na assist sa panalo kontra sa New Orpelans Pelicans na koponan ng kanyang kapatid na si Lonzo.
Ayon kay LaMelo, hindi pa rin daw nagsi-sink in sa kanya ang nagawa nitong accomplishment.
“I live my life and I know what I’m capable of, so stuff like this doesn’t move me like that,” ani Ball. “I know that’s supposed to happen.”
Pinalitan ni Ball si Markelle Fultz bilang pinakabatang NBA player na nagrehistro ng triple-double matapos ang 177 araw.
“He’s a tall PG who can pass, can rebound and he’s a smart player,” saad ni Trae Young ng Atlanta. “Things are going to become even easier for him in this league as he plays more and more games.”
Si Ball din ang ikalimang rookie sa NBA history na nagtala ng triple-double at ang unang Hornets player na nakagawa nito mula sa bench.
Paglalahad naman ni Borrego, napabilib daw ito sa poise at confidence ng batang player.
“He’s not rattled by the moment. It’s like he’s been doing this for a number of years,” sabi ni Borrego.
