He's lighting up NBL courts around the country, but LaMelo Ball is impressing Illawarra Hawks coach Matt Flinn at least as much off court.
Flinn says the much-hyped American teen has shattered the preconceptions with his selfness and work ethic and those waiting for him fail will be disappointed as he continues to improve.
On the court, Ball has looked more and more like the NBA No.1 draft pick he's tipped to be next year.
He became the first player to snag back-to-back NBL triple-doubles for 14 years last Saturday, a week after becoming the youngest NBL player to notch a triple-double.
"The enthusiasm that he brings every day to practice is probably what people don't see," Flinn told Big Sports Breakfast.
"He is a joy to coach. Obviously he's a young kid, but that enthusiasm is very infectious.
"He's 18, he's got a long way to go. The really great players make people around them better, and he does that. He draws people in.
"It's his work ethic as well. He's very coachable, which probably wasn't the wrap on him when he came here.
"He's been a pleasure to be around, and he continues to get better and better.
"He's got a skills set that's pretty much unparalleled in our league.
"A lot of people wait for him to fail, but he keeps getting better and better.
"As his confidence grows, he's going to be a different beast at the next level."
Australian Associated Press
