Hornets' Michael Ajayi Earns Praise From Summer League Coach

The Charlotte Hornets signed two-way forward Michael Ajayi after he was undrafted out of Butler. Ajayi played well in Summer League, impressing his coaches.

"I think Mike has done a great job in terms of accepting his role offensively," Hornets Summer League coach Blaine Mueller said. "And then really mastering his role defensively in terms of being so versatile."

Ajayi appeared in five games for the Hornets in Summer League, averaging 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. 

He played three years in college, playing for Pepperdine, Gonzaga, and finishing out his college career at Butler. In his season at Pepperdine, Ajayi averaged 17.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 47 percent from three.

Ajayi then transferred to Gonzaga and averaged 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor and 18.2 percent from deep. 

He had a bounce-back year in the 2025-26 season at Butler, averaging 16.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from behind the arc.

The 23-year-old forward could be impactful as a two-way player for the Hornets. Charlotte is entering a new era after trading away star guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves and veteran forward Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns.

The Hornets are building their young core around budding stars Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, which will give plenty of young players opportunities to prove to be contributors long-term.

Knueppel had an impressive rookie season, as he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Cooper Flagg. The 20-year-old wing averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 42.5 percent from deep.

Miller had a good third season for Charlotte, averaging 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from distance.

While Ajayi isn't on a standard deal, if he plays well, he could impress the Hornets to earn a standard contract.

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