LaMelo Ball, who plays basketball for Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), is out indefinitely after fracturing his right wrist, according to the team.
The 19-year-old had been widely considered the leading candidate to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year Award, according to The New York Times.
On Sunday, Ball underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam in San Antonio after a hard landing on the wrist on Saturday night after a drive to the basket in the first half of the team’s road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Ball tried to play through the pain in the second half with the wrist covered by protective tape, The New York Times reported.
He became a starter on February 1 in Miami and has averaged 19.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.7 steals since the move.
Recently, Michael Jordan, the Hornets’ owner, told The Associated Press, “I think Melo has adjusted to the NBA game better than any of us ever thought this early in his career. He has exceeded our expectations so far this season.”
In January and February, Ball was named the Eastern Conference rookie of the month. He was the only rookie over the past 60 years to lead all first-year players in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals at the All-Star break, according to the news outlet.
Ball is the younger brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball. He was selected by the Hornets in the 2020 draft. Lonzo, who is currently in his fourth NBA season after the Lakers drafted him No. 2 over all in 2017, is the most coveted player in advance of Thursday’s trade deadline. The Los Angeles Clippers were among the teams that have pursued him, the New York Times reported.
