On top of landing LaMelo Ball with the No. 3 pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets also selected Duke center Vernon Carey with the 32nd pick. The big man has a fascinating story, having lost 30 pounds since the end of the college basketball season after hiring a personal chef in the lead-up to the draft.
While speaking with media following his selection on Wednesday, Carey had high praise for his new teammate in Ball.
“I feel like he’s one of, if not the top, playmaker in this draft,” he said. “With his IQ level and the way he sees the floor and everything, it’ll make it a lot easier on my game, for sure.”
Carey has plenty of experience playing alongside a top point guard as Tre Jones anchored the point guard spot in the Duke starting lineup. Jones was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a Third Team All-American last year.
All of that is to say Carey’s praise of Ball comes from a place of experience with a top point guard, experience he intends on leaning upon when sharing the court with Ball next season.
“I feel like it’s kind of similar to what I had with Tre (Jones) this past year just being able to run certain situations like pick and pops and pick and rolls, just playing basketball, really,” Carey said. “I feel like he’s the type of player that you can just play basketball with. I’m just excited to get out there, really.”
With a hole at the center position long-term, Carey could help shore up the Pelicans’ young core moving forward. Whatever the role may be, Carey is ready to do it with open ears.
“I can’t speak for anybody else that got drafted tonight but just for me personally,” Carey said, “I know I’m going to follow Miles and PJ and those type of guys and soak up all the knowledge I can because they already went through it. For me, personally, I’m definitely going to be all ears.
“Whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll do it. For myself personally, playing defense, being a big energy guy, getting rebounds, doing whatever the team needs me to do. That’s what I’m here for.”
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