Christian Anderson Gets Honest on Playing With Hannes Steinbach

The Charlotte Hornets selected guard Christian Anderson with the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Hornets added Anderson and Hannes Steinbach to their young core in the first round of the NBA Draft.

"There's no place I'd rather be," Anderson said after Charlotte selected him. "Hannes (Steinbach)! It's gonna be a day one connection, ain't no better connection in the draft... I'm just ready to get to work."

Anderson and Steinbach were teammates on the German youth national team and seem excited to play together once again.

Anderson played well in his two seasons at Texas Tech. In his freshman campaign, he averaged 10.6 points, three rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. The 20-year-old guard shot 42.9 percent from the field and 38 percent from three.

He then had a breakout sophomore season, averaging 18.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting 47.2 percent from the floor and 41.5 percent from behind the arc.

Anderson has developed into a playmaker and has continued to showcase his scoring and shooting ability. He earned All-Big 12 Honors and was the Big 12 Most Improved Player.

He will now be a quality playmaker and scorer for the Hornets off the bench. Anderson will be a key ball-handler for the Hornets off the bench behind LaMelo Ball.

He is also pairing up with Steinbach, who will come off the bench as a big man for Charlotte. Steinbach played at a high level for the Hornets in his freshman year at Washington, earning All-Big Ten Honors.

The 20-year-old is averaging 18.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 57.7 percent from the field and 34 percent from deep.

Steinbach was one of the best rebounders in the draft and adds more depth to Charlotte's frontcourt.

The Hornets did well on the first night of the NBA Draft, adding two key pieces for their bench unit, and will look to add more in free agency to make a playoff push in the 2026-27 season.

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