Ball, who went undrafted in 2018, signed with the Oklahoma City Blue — the G League affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder — just three days prior to the league shutting down on March 12, 2020 due to the pandemic and never played for them. He inked an Exhibit 10 contract with Detroit in early December and was waived 12 days later, failing to appear in any games after reportedly suffering a right ankle injury. Besides Ball, the expectation is Vernon Carey Jr., Nick Richards and the team’s first-round pick on Thursday will be among those suiting up for the Hornets during summer league, per league sources.
Vernon Carey Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: C
Born: 02/25/01
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight:270 lbs. / 122.5 kg.
Salary: $1,517,981
Born: 02/25/01
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight:270 lbs. / 122.5 kg.
Salary: $1,517,981
Late in each Charlotte Hornets season, coach James Borrego opens up the rotation to see what a second-round rookie has got. Three seasons ago, it was Devonte Graham. Last March, it was Jalen McDaniels. Friday, it was emphatically Vernon Carey Jr. “Based on what I saw tonight, I’ve got to look very hard at Vernon” the rest of the season, Borrego said, after Carey’s NBA debut as a starter.
Carey was stunningly good with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting, plus six rebounds. The Hornets selected former the former Duke center early in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, and prior to Friday he had amassed all of 33 minutes. He played 35 minutes in the 130-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, and totally looked like he belonged. Carey learned Friday morning that he was starting, even though the decision had been made the night before. Borrego didn’t want Carey fretting all night instead of sleeping.
What does Carey think drew Borrego’s attention? “Showcasing what I did in the G-League,” Carey guessed, “and working every day. Just showing my feel for the game. I think that played into me starting today.”
Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has recalled center Vernon Carey Jr. and center Nick Richards from the Greensboro Swarm, the team’s NBA G League affiliate. Carey appeared in 14 games for the Swarm in the G League bubble, averaging 16.0 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game. A first-year player out of Duke, Carey has totaled three points, one assist and one block in three games for the Hornets this season.
Jay Hernandez: On top of having one of the best bigs in Vernon Carey, we were able to add another in Nick Richards who finally got to play his first game last Sunday. He entered the bubble and left after one day to rejoin the Hornets so having him back adds frontcourt depth that has really helped elevate our team.
