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Age is just a number. Hornets’ star guard LaMelo Ball is also of the same opinion. The 22-year-old’s relationship has been the subject of trolling and hate on social media. In true Ball style, the NBA All-Star pays no heed to it at all. The youngest of the Ball family, LaMelo Ball has been under camera and social media scrutiny from a young age.

His parents have an affinity for basketball, having played the sport in high school and college. That must be what prompted Lonzo and LaMelo to follow that path. The arrival of the Ball brother has certainly been advantageous for the Charlotte Hornets.

LaMelo posts a sweet birthday wish for his girlfriend

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Analicia Chaves, popularly known as Ana Montana, is an American model and LaMelo Ball’s girlfriend. The 34-year-old gained even more attention ever since she started going out with LaMelo. Their relationship was a topic of much discussion because they hadn’t confirmed it per se and the age gap. The brand ambassador of Fashion Nova, Ana, is 12 years older than LaMelo. Clearly, the age gap is not a factor in their relationship. And for her birthday, LaMelo posted the sweetest note on Instagram, “U the one.”

 

 

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A post shared by LaMelo Ball (@melo)

The birthday wish might have a sweet note to it, but the comments surely don’t. Fans and haters alike aren’t too happy with LaMelo’s choice. Ana Montana got major attention when she went out with French soccer star Karim Benzema. Since then, Ana has appeared in many hip-hop videos with Flo Rida and Rick Ross. Of course, modeling and being an influencer is her passion, but side hustles are a must in this day and age. Plus, who would say no to Flo Rida?

How the Charlotte Hornets benefitted from drafting LaMelo Ball

The Hornets have been struggling for some time now. Yet to win a ring and almost 20 years since they have won a playoff series, Charlotte’s “rebellious” spirit was in need of uplifting. Who better to suit that role than a Ball? And the Hornets have got two of them. Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, drafted in 2017 and 2020, respectively, added some much-needed flair and noise to Charlotte.

Read More: WATCH: LaMelo Ball Drains a Nasty Step-Back 3 Against His Older Brother Lonzo Ball

LaMelo’s arrival changed the whole face of the Hornets. Even though he is only 22, the young guard already has great stats. When Ball was on the court, the Hornets scored 5.7 more points per 100 possessions, the same as Lakers star LeBron James (5.7) and ahead of Milwaukee’s

(5.6). It must have been why the Hornets president/GM wanted to keep him at all costs. The Observer’s Rod Boone says that Mitch Kupchak believes they can “be a playoff team this year.”

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They offered Ball the most lucrative deal in the 35 years the franchise has existed in Charlotte, a $260 million contract. Surely, they wouldn’t spend this much money on a rookie just for his celebrity status, would they?

Watch This Story: After Michael Jordan, $82 Million Man Mr. Beast Joins Brand Value to Charlotte Hornets