NBA Draft 2017 Prospect Watch: Lonzo Ball

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) drives to the basket past Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) drives to the basket past Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
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NBA Draft
Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a lot of hype around Lonzo Ball as we near the NBA Draft. And amazingly, some of it is actually about how good he is at basketball!

Who is Lonzo Ball?

You’ve no doubt heard of Lonzo Ball. The 19-year-old point guard finished his solo season at UCLA with an impressive performance in a loss to Kentucky in the Sweet 16.

Lonzo Ball has spent the past year loading box scores and revitalizing UCLA basketball. In his freshman season, Ball averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game. In addition, Ball racked up 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. Not bad for a skinny point guard.

There are many interesting questions and storylines to follow up to the draft. Questions remain about whether Ball or Washington point guard Markelle Fultz is the best available point guard in the draft. Or whether or not he would be able to thrive in a smaller market.

Unfortunately for Ball, much of the talk about him centers around his father, LaVar, who has made a new living as some sort of over-the-top spokesman for his son Lonzo, as well as the rest of his kids.

The Ball family isn’t going away anytime soon, so I don’t know what to tell you.

In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at Lonzo’s game.