In a showcase game in the adidas Uprising event in Las Vegas on Wednesday night, LaMelo Ball -- the youngest member of the Big Baller Brand -- faced off with Zion Williamson, who is a force on youtube and a highlight machine.
The crowd was insane for the game:
Main gym at @adidasUprising 70 mins before LaMelo Ball vs. Zion WillIamson. pic.twitter.com/ZmubWRcxHr
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) July 27, 2017
I'm upstairs with LaMelo Ball. And there is a crowd of kids trying to barge up just to see him. They're chanting "Melo! Melo!" Nutty scene. pic.twitter.com/JoQ1YR8DAD
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) July 27, 2017
LaMelo Ball and Zion Williamson warming up. The game is getting played unless something changes. pic.twitter.com/VrdevwWKf1
— Jeff Rabjohns (@JeffRabjohns) July 27, 2017
Best environment I've ever seen for an AAU game. LaMelo Ball going against Zion... https://t.co/Et13TOSsrk pic.twitter.com/kV0C6x6eMx
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) July 27, 2017
According to a report from ESPN, there were even concerns about whether or not the game would actually be allowed to be played; the police and fire marshall considered shutting the event down.
Williamson, of course, put on a show in warmups:
Zion Williamson putting on a show in pregame. pic.twitter.com/lOhVFOll83
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) July 27, 2017
Zion Williamson giving fans their money's worth during warm ups. pic.twitter.com/qbXMAhg3Ei
— Krysten Peek (@krystenpeek) July 27, 2017
At the time of this posting, there were more than 60,000 people watching a livestream of the game on BallIsLife’s facebook page:
(UPDATE: It’s now over 70,000)