A little less than two hours after tagging LaMelo Ball with the third overall pick in Wednesday night’s NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets rolled off the first of three second-round picks, landing centers Vernon Carey Jr. and Nick Richards along with guard Grant Riller to close out the evening.
Carey was plucked with the 32nd overall selection after playing his college ball just up the road at Duke University last season, posting averages of 17.8 points on 58% shooting, 8.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.7 blocks in 31 outings. Ringing in at 6’10 and 270 pounds (although he has reportedly dropped down to 240 now), the Miami native was named ACC Rookie of the Year and a consensus second-team All-American.