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"Ni**a Called Me In Like He My Pops": LaMelo Ball Can't Resist Witty Response After Helping Out Brother's Venture In $7.3 Billion Industry
In recent years, LaMelo Ball has seen more action on the hardcourt than his older brother, Lonzo. Though their careers have taken different trajectories, the siblings remain extremely close off the court, as demonstrated by a recent assist dished by the Charlotte Hornets star.
In a clip posted on Instagram, LaMelo will finally make an appearance on "What an Experience," a podcast co-hosted by Lonzo and their other sibling, LiAngelo. With their reputed personalities, it was hardly a surprise that the Ball brothers entered the podcast business, which has since grown into a $7.3 billion global industry, as per Bloomberg.
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In the comments section of the post, LaMelo joked about the way Lonzo called him to enter the set of "What an Experience."
"N**ga called me in like he my pops," LaMelo wrote.
Watch the snippet below:
Since the "What an Experience" podcast debuted in May 2024, LaMelo has only come up as a conversation topic rather than as an official guest. During one episode in the early part of the 2024-25 NBA season, Lonzo and his co-hosts got into a discussion about LaMelo making an MVP case.
Though all three Ball brothers won individual and team accolades in their high school days, they have taken vastly different routes in their professional careers. Lonzo, who entered the NBA in 2017, made the All-Rookie second team but missed huge chunks of games over the next eight years, including two full seasons due to knee issues.
LiAngelo, who went undrafted in 2018, has transitioned into a hip-hop career after going viral with his hit song "Tweaker." As for LaMelo, the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, he won Rookie of the Year in 2021 and made the All-Star team in 2022.
In the upcoming NBA season, LaMelo Ball will get to play with another lottery pick in Kon Knueppel. Speaking with Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks, Knueppel described his first impressions of the former All-Star guard.
"He's a funny guy," Knueppel said of LaMelo. "He's a good dude. I'm looking forward to having more conversations."
The youngest Ball brother will have more interactions with Knueppel as the Hornets ramp up their preparations for the 2025-26 season.
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About the authorSimoun has a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, Major in English and Minor in journalism. Thanks to the journalism courses that he took, Simoun understood the fundamentals of journalistic storytelling in the context of sports writing.
Passionate for the UP Fighting Maroons, Simoun is a fan of the NBA, PBA, UAAP, and FIBA.His childhood team was the Chicago Bulls and Simoun was a longtime supporter of the Houston Rockets because his friends would say he looked like Yao Ming.
Simoun loves the systematic, tactical movement of the ball and the players, the stories behind each individual competing on the hardcourt and most of all, how basketball is a sport for life and all its struggles and lessons.
A father of two, Simoun spends his free time with his kids.
Know MoreEdited by Simoun Victor Redoblado
NBA Fans Poke LiAngelo Ball While Training With Lonzo & LaMelo
The Ball family can do it all. They have two of the brightest hoopers in the NBA in Lonzo and LaMelo, and now it seems like LiAngelo Ball is next.
Recently, the Ball brothers were spotted working out on the Big Baller Brand-themed court. A court that their father built years ago.
While the three Ball brothers kept on shooting baskets in the latest video, fans on social media are cracking up. Most of them were trolling LiAngelo for being there on the court just to accompany his brothers.
Lonzo, LaMelo, & LiAngelo in the gym together. 🔥
(h/t @Meloleague)
pic.Twitter.Com/kzF45WUqm4
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 17, 2025However, it's hard to believe it's been almost a decade since the Ball brothers took the basketball world by storm. Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo Ball captured the attention of fans everywhere as they transitioned into the NBA, and it's been quite a journey for them.
Out of the three, the youngest, LaMelo, has really emerged as something special. He's become one of the best point guards in the league for the Charlotte Hornets.
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While the video was all chilled up as the Ball brothers were handing out on the court, it came at a perfect time. Their father, LaVar Ball, has recently called out the New York Knicks to trade for LaMelo and Lonzo.
With all of these pointing at something curious, the fans on the internet got no chill.
"Gelo really only there to rebound," a fan commented.
Gelo really only there to rebound 💀
— KJ (@kung_jook) June 17, 2025"Gelo get back in the studio," another fan wrote.
Gelo get back in the studio
— IKD (@ESPNneedsIKD) June 17, 2025"I think WE all need to see them team up," a third one added.
I think WE all need to see them team up
— 𝒲𝑜𝓁𝓋𝑒𝓈 𝒰𝓅 🐺 (@WitDaShift) June 17, 2025"LaMelo looks like he's in the Yakuza lmfao," a fourth one said.
LaMelo looks like he's in the Yakuza lmfao
— Master of None (@treytrey1011) June 17, 2025"They made Gelo they rebounder," another comment read.
They made Gelo they rebounder 😭
— 𝗧𝗿𝗲 (@SixersTre) June 17, 2025"Why is gelo rebounding i wanna see his jumper," a user wrote.
Why is gelo rebounding i wanna see his jumper
— jons (@JonsNorzagaray) June 17, 2025It's an exciting time for the Ball brothers, and who knows what the future holds?
Also Read: VIDEO: Lonzo Ball Joins Brother LiAngelo Ball For "Tweaker" Performance At BET Awards Pre-Show
Lonzo Ball Makes Bold Prediction On Brother LaMelo's Future
The NBA offseason always brings its share of wild speculation—but this time, it came from inside the Ball family.
On a recent appearance on the What An Experience podcast, Lonzo Ball made an eyebrow-raising prediction about his younger brother LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets. The Chicago Bulls guard said he believes LaMelo will be traded this summer, and that the Hornets will draft top prospect Dylan Harper as their new point guard.
"I think Melo gone. And I think they're gonna take Dylan Harper," Lonzo said. — via What An Experience podcast
LaMelo Ball's Future in Charlotte Remains UnclearWhile Lonzo's prediction made waves, there's currently no real indication that Charlotte plans to move on from LaMelo. The 22-year-old is coming off a season where he appeared in just 47 games due to injury, but he remains the face of the franchise and the focal point of the team's current build.
Still, the Hornets finished with the third-worst record in the league (19–63), and speculation has grown after the team landed the No. 4 pick in the upcoming draft. If a rebuild is in the cards, it's not out of the question that a team could inquire about LaMelo's availability. But as of now, there's been no credible reporting suggesting the front office is actively shopping him.
Dylan Harper Likely Out of Reach for HornetsThe second half of Lonzo's prediction raises even more questions. Dylan Harper—one of the most highly touted prospects in the class—is widely expected to be a top-two pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Hornets, holding pick No. 4, would likely need to trade up to even have a shot at drafting him.
That would require a bold move, perhaps involving a player like LaMelo Ball. But again, there's no indication the Hornets are considering such a path.
Is It Just Brotherly Banter?Lonzo's comments might simply be offseason speculation taken a bit too seriously—but they still caught attention. The timing, LaMelo's injuries, Charlotte's draft position, and a long offseason ahead all add fuel to a quiet rumor mill that could get louder.
So far, there's no real fire—just Lonzo Ball tossing a spark.
What Would a LaMelo Ball Trade Even Look Like?If the Hornets were to explore trading LaMelo Ball, it wouldn't come cheap. Despite the injuries, he's still one of the most dynamic young guards in the league—a former All-Star on a max contract who averaged 23.9 points and 8.0 assists this season when healthy.
One team that continues to pop up in hypothetical deals? The Los Angeles Clippers. With aging stars like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, and a long-term need at point guard, pairing LaMelo with that core could give LA a new timeline. The Ball family's roots in LA would only add to the appeal.
But the logistics are tricky. LaMelo's new deal averages over $40 million per year, which limits the number of teams that can absorb his contract without sending out major assets in return. It's not impossible—but unless something dramatic shifts in Charlotte's front office, this still feels like a long shot.

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