'Very, very welcoming' - LaMelo Ball's teammate explains how he is becoming cornerstone Charlotte Hornets need
Charlotte Hornets may have to give their all to end the longest nine-year absence from the playoffs. And, they are working actively on it. Recently, LaMelo Ball's teammate and Hornets forward, Grant Williams, heaped praises on the All-Star forward for his offseason work.
He explained how LaMelo Ball is keeping the momentum up in the Hornets camp with his enthusiastic approach to workouts and practices. Williams called Ball 'very, very welcoming' while explaining the initiatives he is taking in the offseason practice sessions. LaMelo Ball had to restrict his 2024-2025 season to 47 games due to various injuries, but he is on quite a different tangent for the upcoming season, as per his teammate.
Teammate Grant Williams gives a peek into Charlotte Hornets' offseason work with LaMelo Ball taking lead
The Charlotte Hornets have a tough task of ending the nine-season-long playoff drought. The team needs character-laden performances and support from the players with a leadership mindset. All these characteristics are now surfacing in the All-Star forward, LaMelo Ball's act, as per his teammate Grant Williams' revelation.
While talking to Charlotte Observer's Roderick Boone, Williams said:
'He's doing a lot of things that bring value.
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Not only his voice, but just his approach. He's in there every single day. He's there and present, and I think (he) is somebody we can look to and see, like, 'He's actually putting the work in every single day, not this person who is away from us and claims to be doing the work.' No, he's doing it every single day. He's doing every single workout, he's being available.'
Talking further on the dedicated approach of Ball, Williams said, 'Not only just from a like, 'Hey, let's go do this.'
If maybe we do a mini-camp, 'Let's organize this, I'll take care of these guys, I'll do this.' So, he's being very, very welcoming in a sense of (being) a leader and understanding that he's going to have to take it to a more mature step in his role in order for us to be the best team possible.'
Such an appreciative comment on LaMelo Ball shows how determined the NBA star is to make his presence count in the upcoming season. LaMelo Ball has been under scanner for quite some time due to his absence from the games due to injuries and rehabilitation.
The refreshing revelation about Ball's fitness and mature attitude rests a very important concern for the Hornets fans.
LaMelo Ball had to restrict his 2024-2025 season to 47 games due to injuries
LaMelo Ball's 2024-2025 season was marred by injuries. On March 28, 2025, the Charlotte Hornets announced that Ball will be sitting on the bench for the rest of the season. He was given rest to get treatment for ankle and wrist injuries.
A fan on Reddit commented in February 2025, 'LaMelo Ball rarely plays.'
He pointed out that in his five-season tenure in the NBA, he played only one full season.
With such a history, LaMelo Ball's new approach to practice, workouts, and team-building comes as refreshing news for the Charlotte Hornets. From being a non-player to a key driver, LaMelo Ball has taken a giant leap, if Grant Williams' comments are weighed in.
Also Read:
Kai Cenat dares LaMelo Ball to make 10 consecutive 3-pointers
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