LaMelo Ball is one of the best young stars in the NBA.

Despite only appearing in 22 games last season, he still averaged 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game and shot 43.3% from the field and 35.5% from three-point range.

On Thursday, Ball celebrates his 23rd birthday.

Many people sent him their best wishes on social media and one of those who sent a post was Miles Bridges.

Bridges (via his Instagram story): “Happy RTB day, brother, I love you, gang, 5L and beyond @melo“

Ball and Bridges were teammates for all four seasons Ball played in the NBA.

Last year, Bridges averaged 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in 69 games, shooting 46.2% from the field and 34.9% from three-point range.

In the summer, he agreed to a new contract with the Hornets (h/t Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN).

On Wojnarowski on July 6: “Free agent F Miles Bridges has agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal to return to the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN.”

Although the two players are extremely talented, they could not lead the Hornets into the NBA playoffs.

They are coming off a year in which they finished 13th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 21-61.

The franchise has not made the playoffs since the 2016 season, when Kemba Walker was still on the roster (eight years ago).

If the Hornets have a good season, they should be able to take a step forward next year.