LaMelo Ball Just Became the Youngest Player to Pull Off a Triple Double in the NBL

Ball-shaka-laka.

When LaMelo Ball, scion of the infamous sporting family, ditched college and went straight to the Australian NBL before presumably declaring for the NBA draft, he brought the eyes of the world with him.

Not only is his older brother Lonzo Ball—#2 pick in the 2017 NBA draft—but his father LaVar has a habit of talking up his kids beyond reasonable expectations. (Case in point: He predicted all three of his sons would get drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers and deliver five consecutive championships. Lonzo was traded from the Lakers to the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this year.)

But LaMelo going to the Illawarra Hawks was a boon for the NBL and its Next Stars program, which also attracted another presumed NBA draft favourite, RJ Hampton, to the New Zealand Breakers.

Only one problem: the Hawks and the Breakers have the two worst records in the league, despite flashes of brilliance from its young American imports.

However, Ball has nonetheless etched himself into the history books following the Hawks 114 – 106 overtime victory over the Cairns Taipans last night, becoming the youngest player in the history of the NBL to record a triple double.

Ball, who is 18, finished with 32 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, giving him three double-figure stats in the final box score.

The Hawks now move to eighth on the ladder, one spot above the wooden spponers, the Breakers.

Even if the Hawks can’t make the NBL playoffs, Ball will likely see few obstacles on his way to a potential top three finish in the 2020 NBA draft.

That, LaVar can actually brag about.

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