'My dear God': Insane LaMelo Ball moment stuns basketball fans
An eye-catching play from young American import LaMelo Ball has sent Aussie basketball viewers into a frenzy.
Ball's start to NBL life at Illawarra hasn't gone exactly to plan as another tough loss for the Hawks proved on Thursday night.
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The Hawks were thrashed 103-72 in Auckland against a New Zealand Breakers side that celebrated their first win of the season.
However, it was a highlight reel moment from Ball that stole the headlines and gave the 18-year-old something to cheer about.
Fellow American Aaron Brooks inadvertently set up Ball when his one-handed shot inside the paint bounced off the base of the rim.
Stationed on the left side of court near the three-point line, Ball showed incredible awareness as he raced to the basket in anticipation of the ball bouncing out.
The teen star timed his run perfectly as he launched himself high above a pack of players and slammed home a one-handed putback dunk.
The epic play left commentators in awe, with opposition fans in New Zealand even rising off their seats to applaud the moment of magic.
LaMelo went all the way up for this putback throwdown #NBL20... pic.twitter.com/p3OC7gSlFT
— James McKern (@jLmcKern) October 24, 2019
I’ve never heard an opposition crowd pop more for an opposition player’s dunk than the Kiwi crowd just did for LaMelo Ball #NBL20
— Mitch (@M_1tch) October 24, 2019
Hahaha love it! @NZBreakers home crowd erupting in applause for a huuuuge dunk from opposition player LaMelo Ball. Gotta show ya appreciation for class, no matter who it is. 👏😁
— Dale Bradbury (@dalainz) October 24, 2019
That was naaasty from LaMelo Ball. #NBL20
— Tim Stidston (@burntim) October 24, 2019
LaMelo Ball is about to go viral... Remember this tweet
— Antonio Brown’s Helmet (@Six2k20) October 24, 2019
LaMELO BALL MY DEAR GOD #NBL20
— James McKern (@jLmcKern) October 24, 2019
Lamelo is going to be a star in the NBA. I wasn’t believing the hype a few years ago due to his stupid ass dad. But this kid can ball. https://t.co/LqhqL3NTrU
— Garrett Angell (@GarrettAngell) October 24, 2019
The game was billed as a Battle of the Next Stars - RJ Hampton of the Breakers and Ball for the Hawks - and both NBA-bound youngsters had their moments.
Hampton took the early honours with a block on Ball in the opening exchanges, while Ball's viral dunk was the moment of the match even if neither player dominated the contest.
Veterans steal the show in breakthrough NZ win
For all the pre-game chatter about the Next Stars, two of the homegrown NBL veterans helped get the job done for the Breakers.
After starting 0-2, the Breakers were in desperate need of a triumph and they achieved that goal on the back of an improved shooting display.
Kiwis Tom Abercrombie (16 points) and Corey Webster (17 points) both nailed big shots when it mattered.
A three from Webster with four minutes to go in the third quarter gave the Breakers a 20-point margin and put the result beyond doubt.
Imports Scotty Hopson (17 points and nine rebounds) and Sek Henry (21 points) also provided valuable contributions for the home side.
The Breakers lost big man Rob Loe in the first quarter to a nasty head knock which saw him taken to hospital for assessment.
The Hawks fell to 1-5 as poor shooting hurt them.
With AAP
