Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets is one of the NBA’s top rising stars.
His father LaVar certainly believes he already ranks among the best players in the league.
When he was asked by TMZ Sports if he thinks his youngest son can win the MVP award this season, the elder Ball delivered a confident answer.
“Do I think he can win it?” replied the elder Ball. “No. I know he can win it.”
If the younger Ball indeed claims the award this season, he will be the youngest ever to do so. That record is currently held by Derrick Rose, who was named league MVP in 2011. Rose was 22 years and 191 days old on the final day of the 2010-11 regular season.
The younger Ball will turn 21 next August.
The elder Ball further explained why he thinks his youngest son has a good chance of getting the top individual award this season.
“They’re not gonna give Melo the MVP unless he makes it to the Finals,” the elder Ball said. “Then you gonna make MVP. You know why? The NBA — what do you need? You need the next superstar, and you know who he is? My boy.”
The 20-year-old point guard certainly has the potential to be a superstar. He is currently averaging 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 2.7 3-pointers per game this season.
But even if the younger Ball helps lead the Hornets to the NBA Finals this season, it will have no effect on the MVP voting, which only considers regular season performance.
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