NBA Draft Wednesday, November 18, 2020 Bristol, Connecticut, USA LaMelo Ball go No. 1 overall. Was there any surprise at all that you fell to No. 3? And what are your thoughts that you fell Q. One thing that Mitch Kupchak just talked about that to an organization like the Charlotte Hornets? I found interesting is you shouldn't just think of LaMelo as a point guard. In the way positionless LAMELO BALL: I definitely feel great falling into with them. basketball is, considering his height, considering But the way I've fallen down, I never looked at it like that everything else, we're going to find ways to blend him. because, like I say, whatever happens happens, and I feel He said, Maybe he plays some point forward. He said, like it's God's plan. So wherever he wanted to put me, You should not simply think there's a crowd of people that's where he put me, and I feel like he's going to let me playing point guard. Could you talk about, considering blossom there. your combination of skills and size, how you think you fit into a basketball team in general that way? Q. You'll be playing for Michael Jordan, who is obviously considered the GOAT, the greatest of all LAMELO BALL: I feel like I fit anywhere real good, and time, when it comes to the sport of basketball. Your definitely the point forward I feel like could work because immediate thoughts about playing for him as your it's definitely positionless basketball now. You can just get owner? in and go. So Mitch is definitely saying the right stuff. LAMELO BALL: Man, straight blessing, for real. I don't Q. He said that the thing they're most excited about is even have enough words to say. I'm just blessed right your ability to push it, because James Borrego has now, for real. really wanted to increase the pace of this team. Do you see yourself as somebody who's really good in Q. What's it like to be in this moment today, to finally transition the way they described? hear your name called? And then I guess how excited are you to be an NBA player here in two weeks, to get LAMELO BALL: Definitely. I love transition. I would love into camp and get going? that the team would be in transition, and I feel like it's going to be fun this year. LAMELO BALL: Definitely excited. I'm just letting it all hit me right now. But like I said, I'm ready to play. I'm Q. Can you just talk to me about how excited you are definitely ready to come in and just ready to lace them up. to play with a young corps of guys in Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington, Devonte' Graham, that group of Q. What was the scene like at the draft party? How guys? many people do you guys there? What was it like seeing everybody else get excited? LAMELO BALL: Yeah, I'm definitely excited. I've been seeing them ever since I was young, for real -- Miles at LAMELO BALL: It was beautiful. It was all downstairs in Michigan State and Huntington Beach. And then P.J., I the room. The whole room was crying. I couldn't even tell played him when he was at Findlay. It's going to be you how many people there were. But when they called exciting. Two high fliers can get out and go. And we've my name, everybody was cheering, excited. It was a got a young team, so I feel like it's going to be nice. beautiful scene.

Q. Do you feel like this team really fits your style of Q. You've been a professional before, but Mr. Kupchak play of wanting to get up and down the court quite a said on his call with the media he knows how young bit? you are, there's a lot of room for growth, a lot of potential. As far as the youth, how are you preparing LAMELO BALL: Yeah, definitely. I love getting up and yourself to adjust to life in the NBA, the spotlight, all of down, so if that's the play style, that definitely fits. those things, and how do you feel like your previous experiences have prepared you for that? Q. With a lot of the mock drafts, you were projected to

103028-2-1015 2020-11-19 02:31:00 GMT Page 1 of 2 LAMELO BALL: You just answered it right there. I feel like these previous experiences made me who I am today. So it's quite easy, if I'm just talking to you.

Q. It's very well known that Charlotte needs their next showtime player. They need a franchise cornerstone. How do you feel like you're going to step into that role, and do you think you can fill the arena in Charlotte now?

LAMELO BALL: Yeah, I mean, definitely. I feel like I can go out there and play basketball. I feel like I was born to do this. That's really my answer right there.

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