All Hornets

LaMelo Ball Named SI's 2021 Breakthrough Athlete of the Year

The Charlotte Hornets guard is recognized as the Sports Illustrated Awards.

Schuyler Callihan

Charlotte Hornets 2nd-year guard LaMelo Ball was named Sports Illustrated's Breakthrough Athlete of the Year on Tuesday night at the SI Awards Show in Miami, Florida. Other finalists for the award include Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, and tennis player Emma Raducanu.

As a rookie in 2020-21, Ball averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds in 51 games. Despite a broken wrist that caused him to miss several weeks at the end of the regular season, Ball was named the NBA Rookie of the Year. 

In just a little over one year into his NBA career, Ball has already become the face of the Charlotte Hornets franchise and is considered to be one of the bright young stars of the game. In 24 games this season, Ball has seen his per-game averages increase in all categories by averaging 20.1 points, 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. He has missed the last few games due to being in the NBA's Health & Safety Protocol and will be ruled out of Wednesday night's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us Twitter:

Facebook - All Hornets

Twitter - @SI_Hornets and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.

Published
Schuyler Callihan
SCHUYLER CALLIHAN

schuylercallihan(at)gmail.com  Twitter:@Callihan_ Schuyler Callihan is the lead publisher of Mountaineers Now, All Panthers, and All Hornets on FanNation/Sports Illustrated. He took over publishing duties of All Panthers in 2020 and wanted to expand his professional coverage in the Queen City by running the operations at All Hornets. Schuyler attended Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia before finishing up his schooling at Alamance Community College in Graham, North Carolina. The Wheeling, West Virginia native made the move to North Carolina in 2015 and has been in Charlotte since 2021.

Home/News