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Screened No.1 pick LaMelo Ball led individual training with the Minnesota Timberwolves, owners of the first draft in the upcoming NBA Draft on Wednesday in Southern California, sources told ESPN.
It was the first private practice ball awarded to an NBA team. He had previously met and interviewed the Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls, who hold 1-4 picks respectively.
The NBA eased restrictions on player ratings and interviews in mid-October, according to a rating obtained by ESPN, clearing the way for teams to meet prospects ahead of next Wednesday’s draft.
The Timberwolves sent basketball operations president Gersson Rosas, coach Ryan Saunders and executive vice president basketball operations Sachin Gupta to assess Ball, putting him through a range of shooting and shooting drills. ” other activities to test his handling and conditioning of the ball. A source said Ball shot the ball well and had no problems passing practice.
Ball is one of three candidates the Timberwolves are expected to pick on draft night. The others are former Memphis center James Wiseman and Georgia goalie Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves have met and worked with Edwards before, but haven’t been able to get much traction with Wiseman. A source told ESPN that Wiseman appears to view situations with the Warriors and Hornets as more favorable to his long-term growth. Despite that, and the presence of All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, Wiseman remains a candidate for the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves are also expected to have trade talks with a number of teams interested in acquiring the top pick.
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