FILE – In this Nov. 17, 2019, file photo, LaMelo Ball of the Illawarra Hawks warms up before their game against the Sydney Kings in the Australian Basketball League in Sydney. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)
With the NBA Draft less than three weeks away, the Minnesota Timberwolves — who own the top overall pick — recently met with LaMelo Ball, ESPN reported Thursday.
A source told ESPN that Ball, the brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, met with Wolves head coach Ryan Saunders and president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas in Los Angeles for what was strictly an interview and did not include any basketball activity.
According to the report, it marked the first draft-related meeting with any team for the 19-year-old Ball, who has plans to talk with the Golden State Warriors next week. The Warriors own the second overall selection in the draft, which will be held on Nov. 18.
The report stated that Ball also intends to meet with the Charlotte Hornets (No. 3 pick) and the Chicago Bulls (No. 4) before the draft.
Ball, a 6-foot-7 point guard, played professionally in Lithuania and New Zealand the past two years before becoming eligible for the draft. He has not played a game in nearly 12 months.