Soaring Down South
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NBA Mock Draft as NCAA Season Suddenly Ends

By Dallin Duffy

ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures to the crowd in the final minutes a of a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures to the crowd in the final minutes a of a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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NBA Mock Draft
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 30: LaMelo Ball of the Hawks during warm up prior to the round 9 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on November 30, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) /

PG, Illawarra. Atlanta Hawks. LaMelo Ball. 4. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 125

Measurements for the 19-year-old guard vary, with some having him at 6’6 and others 6’7, but either way he brings great length as a ball-handler. He averaged nearly eight rebounds in his 12 games with the Illawarra Hawks this season, and can be a do-it-all player from day one.

He doesn’t have the same hitch in his jumper that brother Lonzo had, but LaMelo’s isn’t exactly clean looking either. He shot just 25 percent from three in the NBL, and wasn’t shy about it. He attempted 6.7 threes per game.

Anyone the Hawks draft will be accessed not only on their talent, but their fit with Trae Young and John Collins. Ball is an interesting fit, and with his size can play both with and behind Young. Both are fantastic play-makers, and would make the Hawks’ offense a very tough cover. Young’s dynamic three-point shooting could offset Ball’s struggles from deep, while his tight defense would help disguise Trae’s on that end.

Ball’s a top tier prospect mostly thanks to his elite passing abilities, and could be able to compete with Trae for the team’s assist crown as a rookie. He’d be a fun piece to add to the Hawks’ roster already full of young studs.