"Him and Ian Jackson that team was chills with rocket": Hoops fans react to throwback clip of LaMelo Ball's high school basketball squad 

By Rotsen Rick Tidoy

Modified Nov 05, 2024 21:41 GMT

Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball was already showing signs of greatness during his days with SPIRE Academy, as he and future Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson formed an unstoppable duo at the Ohio prep school in 2018-19. SLAM HS released a throwback video of his time there on Monday, getting hoops fans talking.

LaMelo was only at Spire for less than a season during his senior year, as he played professionally in Europe during his junior year and part of his senior year. Despite this short time, fans were reminded how good the future Hornets star was.

"Him and Ian Jackson that team was chills with rocket," one fan replied.

"You can’t be serious?😂," another added.

"Me and the boys when we play 5’s against randoms," another fan quipped.

Fans pointed out how good SPIRE was during the 2018-2019 season, especially Isaiah Jackson, while others noted how LaMelo remained consistent even during his NBA days.

"unbeatable group," a fan noted.

"Isisah Jackson (Pontiac MI/Pacers) coming out party! PAUSE!" another fan added.

"Melo still hoops like this til this day," another fan replied.

Fans react to LaMelo Ball in high school (Source: Instagram/slam_hs)

At SPIRE, Ball and Jackson formed the team's one-two punch, with Rocket Redford completing the team's Big Three. The trio went all the way to the 2019 Grind Session World Championship final but lost to Bella Vista Prep 96-94.

LaMelo Ball playing professional basketball in Europe caused controversies

Several fans responded to the SLAM HS post by pointing out that LaMelo Ball improved much after coming back from Europe. He played professionally for the Lithuanian squad Prienai in 2018.

"When the big teams were ducking lamelo ball," one fan wrote.

"Bro came back from Europe on a different level from everyone else 😂💯," another added.

Fans comment on LaMelo Ball in high school (source: Instagram/slam_hs)

However, it was because of that professional record that teams avoided playing against LaMelo Ball and SPIRE Academy, with many teams canceling their games against the school because his professional experience could threaten their eligibility to play in their state federations.

Ball also chose a school that is not part of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. This allowed him to play without any eligibility concerns, although some teams still canceled their games against him.

Because he played professionally, he was also ineligible to be named a McDonald's All-American, although he resumed playing professionally in China and then Australia before being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 2020, winning Rookie of the Year during the 2020-2021 season.