The city of Cleveland is welcoming LaMelo Ball with open arms, and an enormous billboard just minutes from the Cavs' home - Quicken Loans Arena.
In case you missed it, earlier this week 17-year old LaMelo announced that he will be returning to high school for his senior year to play ball for Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. LaMelo is expected to join the team Friday and could make his debut in the team's game in Philadelphia on Saturday. If not, LaMelo will surely get some run on November 13 against La Lumiere in Indiana.
When he arrives, he'll be greeted with a LeBron-esque billboard that simply reads; "Welcome To Ohio, LaMelo."
Prior to dropping out of Chino Hills High School in California to play overseas, LaMelo ranked 7th in the country in the Class of 2019, and it will be interesting to see how he stacks up against the country's top prospects this season. Jermaine Jackson, who will be coaching LaMelo at Spire, believes the kid has potential to be the No.1 pick in the NBA Draft.
"In my opinion, LaMelo Ball can be the No. 1 pick in a year or two going to the Cleveland Cavaliers," Jermaine Jackson tells TMZ Sports. "Ain't no question about it."
"He's known as that all over the world" Jackson says ... "He has a talent that, some of it just can't be taught."