Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball cleared to return to basketball activity

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LaMelo Ball looks set to return to action soon, after being cleared to return to individual basketball activity, the team announced today.

Ball, who suffered a fractured right wrist on March 20 against the LA Clippers, underwent further evaluation today, confirming the wrist has healed, with ESPN'S Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that "there’s optimism that LaMelo Ball could be ready to return to the lineup in 7-10 days."

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft was the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year prior to being injured, winning three consecutive Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month Awards (January, February, March).

Through 41 games, Ball is averaging 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

The 19-year-old's return to the floor will provide a big boost for the Hornets' playoff hopes, currently sitting in the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference at 28-28, just 2.0 games back of the New York Knicks for the sixth seed. 

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Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.