Despite playing just 12 games in the competition due to injury, Ball was named as the NBL Rookie of the Year in 2020, and became the youngest player to record an NBL triple-double, when he was aged just 18 and three months.

His performances for the Illawarra Hawks saw him selected with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, and his previous exposure to playing open age, professional basketball resulted in him pairing his NBL Rookie of the Year award with its NBA equivalent.

He was also named an NBA All-Star in 2022 – just his third season playing in the competition.

Ball averaged 17 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game in his time with the Hawks.

Ball on his NBL experience: "I feel like my previous experiences made me who I am today."