Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA in the NBA: Former Bruin Lonzo Ball makes the NBA All-Rookie Team

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Larry Nance Jr. #7, Lonzo Ball #2, Kyle Kuzma #0 and Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the first half of a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on January 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Larry Nance Jr. #7, Lonzo Ball #2, Kyle Kuzma #0 and Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the first half of a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on January 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former UCLA basketball player and now point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, Lonzo Ball, has made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

The expectations were high for Lonzo Ball as he transitioned from the UCLA basketball team to the pros with the Los Angeles Lakers, but it is seemingly paying off as the former Bruin has made the 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

RELATED: The 10 Best Games of the Steve Alford Era

With everything that was put on the young man as he went from high school to college to the pros, Ball has endured the pressure and negative press and proved doubters wrong with this achievement.

Though Los Angeles finished the season 35-47 and missed the playoffs, it was an improvement over their 26-56 mark from the previous season. Ball was part of the reason for L.A.’s improvement.

In his first season, despite missing 28 games due to injury, he averaged 10.2 points per game, 6.9 rebounds (second on the team) and 7.2 assists (1st on the team). Not bad for a rookie.

Ball was selected second overall in the 2017 NBA Draft and was expected to help the resurgence of the Lakers in the post-Kobe era. Though the Lakers made improvements this season, they have only just begun to rebuild.

The organization is expecting big things this off-season, especially with several top-tier players hitting free agency. Two of the Lakers’ biggest targets are Paul George and LeBron James.

Joining Ball on the NBA All-Rookie Team is teammate Kyle Kuzma out of Utah who surprised many as he had a breakout rookie season. Kuzma finished the season in a three-way tie with Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram as the team’s top scorer with 16.1 ppg.

Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

With a year of experience under his belt, Ball should be expected to take on more responsibility in his second year and lead Los Angeles to even more success. Hopefully he has a star-studded cast helping him along.