LaMelo Ball Signs New Professional Basketball Contract

LaMelo Ball is heading Down Under to play professionally in Australia and New Zealand's National Basketball League (NBL).

The 17-year-old recently inked a two year contract, and he'll be playing for the Illawarra Hawks. But he still has a goal to be the No. 1 pick in next year's NBA Draft.

"I just think it's the best route for me," he said on ESPN about playing in Australia. "I'm trying to be the No. 1 pick for the 2020 draft. I heard they got great strength and conditioning over there. So off the court that would be good. Pros been through there, stuff like that. I think it's all going to help."

The last time we heard from Ball, he got into it with Michael Rapaport, who criticized him for playing in his father's league The Junior Basketball Association. Rapaport also got at LaMelo for his brother Lonzo Ball disrespecting Nas.

"I'm trying to be the No. 1 pick for the 2020 draft."

LaMelo Ball announces on The Jump with @Rachel__Nichols that he will play in Australia's NBL for the Illawarra Hawks next season. pic.twitter.com/G9z4bCl4E5

— ESPN (@espn) June 17, 2019