LaMelo Ball goes for 21 points, 10 assists in return to high school basketball

Younger brother of Lonzo Ball records a double-double in his much-anticipated debut with SPIRE Institute.

For the first time since March of 2017, LaMelo Ball made his return to the hardwood for Aspire Institute in Geneva, Ohio in front of a capacity crowd.

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SPIRE Institute takes on The Hill School over the weekend.

LaMelo Ball put on a show in his first high school basketball game since March 14, 2017, posting 21 points and 10 assists in a 96-84 SPIRE Institute (Geneva, Ohio) win at a packed Hill School (Pottstown, Pa.) on Saturday.

The highly-regarded Class of 2019 point guard made plenty of national headlines this week after announcing his return to high school basketball. From a LeBron-like billboard popping up in downtown Cleveland on Friday, saying "Welcome to Ohio, LaMelo" to his announcement of plans to attend college.

Ball's senior debut came with much scrutiny as many have questioned his amateur eligibility after dabbling in the professional ranks and featuring his own signature shoe for the Big Baller Brand.

LaMelo Ball had 20 points and 10 assists in his debut with SPIRE Institute on Saturday.

Photo by John Jones

Perennial powerhouses La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.), Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) have already announced that they have canceled contests with SPIRE Institute since his arrival, citing his professional stints.

During his absence from high school hoops, the youngest of the Ball brothers played professionally overseas in Lithuania before returning to the United States to spearhead the Junior Basketball Association.

Ball's last season of high school basketball was his sophomore season in 2016-17. He led Chino Hills (Calif.) to a 30-3 finish, averaging 27.5 points, 9.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.

On Saturday, Ball made seven baskets, a 3-pointer to start in the first quarter and one to finish things off in the fourth. He scored four baskets in the third quarter when SPIRE took control. Most of Ball's assists went to Michigan State-bound Mark "Rocket" Watts, who finished with 35 points, including eight 3-pointers.

Ball was a MaxPreps first team Sophomore All-American when he put together a number of impressive performances, highlighted by his 92 point game in Chino Hills' 146-123 win over Los Osos.