LaMelo Ball Offered the Highest Sneaker Deal Ever for a Rookie: Reports

If you are following the predictions for the 2020 NBA Draft picks, you are sure to have come across the name, “LaMelo Ball.” Playing in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), 18-year old Ball already has a few admirers to his name. In fact, so many that he has been offered a sneaker deal that is worth more than any other sneaker deal signed by a rookie.

Corey Williams of ESPN reported that LaMelo Ball was offered $100 million and a private jet to sign a sneaker endorsement deal. The reports, however, did not contain any information about the sneaker company.

If he does put a pen to the offer, Ball will be earning $13 million and a private jet more than what King LeBron James had been offered before his NBA debut. Last year, Zion Williamson signed a shoe deal with the Jordan brand worth $75 million, albeit he is yet to come out with a Jordan sneaker to an NBA game. His injury has kept him out so far and Zion is expected to be fully fit soon.

LaMelo Ball from basketball background

LaMelo did not have to look far for inspiration in Basketball. He was born to two former Basketball player, while his elder brother, Lonzo, is currently an exciting prospect with the New Orleans Pelicans.

He is currently playing for Illawarra Hawks in NBL. He joined them on a two-year contract in 2019, and he already has a record to his name. Ball’s career-high 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists in November made him the youngest player to record a triple-double in NBL.