LaMelo Ball, brother of New Orleans Pelicans’ guard Lonzo Ball and potential No.1 pick in 2020 NBA Draft, failed in his attempt to buy Illawarra Hawks.
Ball, who played for the Hawks last season, teamed up with his manager Jermaine Jackson and made an offer for the Australian National Basketball League side earlier this year. However, the league opted to do business with a group led by former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo instead.
NBL made the official confirmation on Wednesday.
The process of Hawks’ ownership change started back in April when the club was placed into voluntary administration that resulted in NBL taking away their license. The league considered a number of offers since then before deciding that Colangelo and his group give the club the best chance to succeed.
“The decision in choosing the right owners was not an easy one,” said NBL’s executive chairman Larry Kestelman in a statement. “I would like, in particular, to thank LaMelo Ball and his organization for the support and interest shown in wanting to achieve the best outcome for the team that has helped him have a chance at being the number one NBA Draft pick.”
“We hope we can explore future opportunities with LaMelo and wish him all the best for the NBA Draft in October and his ambition to be the best ever player in the game,” he added.
After deciding to skip college, LaMelo Ball joined Hawks for the 2019/20 NBL season. He ended up playing 12 games with the team, averaging 17 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, while also winning NBL Rookie of the Year award in the process. Ball left the Hawks in January, returning to the U.S. in order to prepare for the 2020 NBA Draft.
