Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball’s older brother LiAngelo is expected to sign with the Charlotte Hornets. When finalized, he will be on their summer league squad sources told SI.com’s All Hornets. The move is expected to occur when Charlotte’s team comes together to start the summer league from August 8-17 in Las Vegas Nevada.
Having the summer league opportunity could play a huge role as a spring board to start LiAngelo’s career in the NBA.
Ball is already familiar with the team. Charlotte’s Devonte Graham posted on social media that Ball had been working out with them. LiAngelo’s signing with Charlotte would officially bring the brothers back together on the basketball court for the first time in four years. They played together in Lithuania for team Prienu Vytautas in 2017-2018. LiAngelo averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds and 22 minutes in 16 games.
This is not the first time LiAngelo has tried out for a NBA team. After going undrafted in 2018, he later signed a G League contract with the Oklahoma City Blue, who are the affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. This happened just three days before the NBA had to shut down March 12, 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so he never got the chance to play and showcase his talent. Ball signed and Exhibit 10 contract, which is just a glorified training camp/G League deal, with the Detroit Pistons in early December and was released twelve days later. He did not get to play in any contest due to a right ankle injury.
Sources say that Ball won’t be the only big name suiting-up for the Hornets in summer league. Second year player Vernon Corey Jr., Nick Richards and the player that will be selected in the first-round Thursday night during the NBA draft will all get a look.
