LaMelo Ball Donating Month's NBL Salary to Australian Wildfire Relief

LaMelo Ball is 18 years old, but he already gets it.

The Illawarra Hawks point guard will donate one month of his NBL salary to those affected by the New South Wales wildfires in Australia, his agent Jermaine Jackson told ESPN Australia's Corey Williams on Thursday.

"It's sad to see what is happening on the South Coast of Australia," Ball said in a statement released by the team. "People have lost their homes and everything they own. My parents taught me to help out wherever I can, so this is my way of helping out."

Earlier Thursday, the BBC reported that a week-long state of emergency has been declared "in response to the escalating bushfire threat.

"Since September, bushfires have killed 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 homes across NSW and neighbouring Victoria. At least 17 people remain missing after fires this week alone," the report continued.

Ball announced his decision to play in Australia's NBL for the Hawks on ESPN's The Jump in June:

Ball has averaged 17 points, 7.5 rebounds, seven assists and 1.6 steals across 12 games this season.

Williams additionally reported on Dec. 30 that Ball has been offered a $100 million endorsement deal by an unnamed sneaker company:

Ball has been out with a foot injury he suffered in early December, though Australian outlet the Daily Telegraph (h/t USA Today's Lonzo Wire) disclosed Thursday afternoon that "Illawarra officials remain hopeful" the potential No. 1 pick of the 2020 NBA draft will return to action as early Jan. 6.