Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball is putting in the work to improve his strength and mobility following a rookie campaign which fell below the expectations of most and included a series of injuries.
Kyle Kuzma has taken notice of Ball's commitment to bettering himself and his body, as the two rookie teammates find themselves in the gym at the same time more often than not.
"Consistency in the weight room, that is the biggest thing," Kuzma said of Ball on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "He has been in there pretty much every day I have been in here around this time.
"You can tell he is taking the weight room a lot more serious and that is going to help him by allowing him to recover faster and hopefully next year be on the court more because of that weight room."
Kuzma was named a member of the All-Rookie first team on Tuesday, while Ball wound up with second-team honors. The No. 2 overall pick missed 30 games, so building muscle to contend with larger guards across the Association will not only help him be more effective on both ends but perhaps keep him off the shelf for long stretches.
Ball, who averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.9 boards, called this summer the biggest of his life at the conclusion of the Lakers' 35-47 season, and so far, it looks as though he's taking it extremely seriously.