The kinetic energy of a ball is highest at the point where it is moving at its fastest. In the context of a ball thrown or dropped, the kinetic energy increases as it falls due to the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy as it descends. Therefore, if the ball is dropped from a height, its kinetic energy will be highest just before it hits the ground, assuming air resistance is negligible.
In summary, the ball has the highest kinetic energy just before impact with the ground.