Hornets Select All-Big Ten Big Man With 14th Overall Pick in NBA Draft

The Charlotte Hornets are adding to their young core by selecting Hannes Steinbach with the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Steinbach played at a high level in his freshman season at Washington, averaging 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. He shot 57.7 percent from the floor and 34 percent from three. 

The 20-year-old was named to the All-Big Ten team for his play, anchoring the Huskies' defense while being one of the best rebounders in the country.

Steinbach joins a core led by LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller. His defense and rebounding will complement the star trio well.

Ball has established himself as an All-Star-caliber point guard when healthy, averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in the 2025-26 season. He shot 40.7 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from distance. 

Knueppel may be the most intriguing piece of the young core, as he played at a high level in his rookie campaign, averaging 18.5 points per game along with 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists. The 20-year-old wing shot an efficient 47.5 percent from the floor and 42.5 percent from behind the arc.

Knueppel finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Cooper Flagg and established himself as one of the best three-point shooters in the league.

The Hornets also have their small forward in place with Miller, as he averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and a steal per game in his third season. The 23-year-old shot 43.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from deep.

Charlotte narrowly missed out on the postseason in the 2025-26 season, losing in the second Play-In Game to the Orlando Magic.

With the addition of Steinbach, plus the 18th overall pick, the Hornets are improving their roster to put an end to their playoff drought in the 2026-27 season.

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