During his rookie season, Vernon Carey Jr. compiled 115 minutes played over 19 appearances, in four of which he was the Charlotte Hornets’ starting center. As a sophomore big, Carey Jr. will have a much more consistent environment to continue developing his game, which could provide a chance to cement a rotation spot for himself.
When the Hornets drafted Carey Jr. with the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, there wasn’t any pressure — from inside the organization or outside — for him to contribute right away with Bismack Biyombo and Cody Zeller on the roster.