LaMelo Ball says his basketball idol was his dad LaVar: It was my pops

LaMelo Ball will face LeBron James for the first time later this week but he is not too excited about playing against the four-time NBA champion.

Per ESPN, “I mean, nah,” Ball, 19, told reporters on a videoconference Tuesday ahead of the Charlotte Hornets’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. “I grew up a little different. Not really on basketball like that. So, not really.”

Ball’s statement wasn’t a slight against James. He added that “it will be cool” to face the Lakers’ star but said he keeps his focus steady no matter the opponent.

“I go to every game with the same approach — going in to try to get a win,” he said.

The younger Ball said his basketball idol was his dad, LaVar.

“It was my pops,” Ball said when asked if he had a role model the way his brother looked up to James. “So, I was big on family and stuff like that. Not really with the basketball.”