LaMelo Ball’s Unexpected Ambition: Wanting to Become U.S. President

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets point guard, surprised many during a pre-draft interview in 2020 by expressing his ambition to become President of the United States. According to The Athletic‘s Jon Krawczynski, this revelation came when Ball was being evaluated by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who held the No. 1 pick that year.

During the interview, Timberwolves staff asked Ball about his aspirations post-basketball. He boldly replied, ‘I want to be president of the United States.’ However, sources indicated that Timberwolves officials were unsure if he was serious or merely disinterested in the process.

Ultimately, Minnesota opted to select Anthony Edwards with the top pick, a decision that has yielded positive results as Edwards emerged as a star. In his fifth season, he averaged 27.6 points, 4.5 assists, and 5.7 rebounds, leading the Timberwolves to several playoff appearances.

Meanwhile, Ball was chosen third overall by the Hornets. He received the Rookie of the Year title in 2021, averaging 15.7 points and 6.1 assists per game. He later became an All-Star in his second season, guiding Charlotte to its first winning record since 2015.

Despite his early success, Ball has faced challenges with injuries and consistency. Since 2022, he has missed 111 games, making up 46 percent of the Hornets’ total games during that period. Charlotte’s record during this time stands at 71-186.

Ball’s performance has drawn mixed reviews, particularly regarding his defensive intensity and carelessness with the ball, with average over three turnovers per game throughout his career. Nevertheless, he is currently posting impressive stats at the start of this season, averaging 23.3 points and 9.8 assists.

As both players continue their careers, Minnesota’s decision appears justified, regardless of how Ball’s presidential aspirations unfold.