Tag: James Bouknight

‘He is special’: Terry Rozier offers high praise for James Bouknight

Rozier spoke very highly of Bouknight over the offseason, and the veteran once again gave him some praise.

Terry Rozier spoke very highly of rookie James Bouknight over the offseason, and the Charlotte Hornets veteran once again offered some praise for the 11th overall pick.

Rozier is among the Hornets veterans that have offered Bouknight plenty of guidance to this point. He has seen him up close throughout training camp and the preseason, and has been thoroughly impressed by what he has seen so far.

Bouknight responded by averaging 15.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, one assist and one steal in four preseason games. His 63 total points were third-most among all rookies.

“He is special,” Rozier said on Tuesday. “He is a guy that probably won’t win Rookie of the Year but in a couple of years down the line, he’ll be a hard matchup. He’ll be a starter in the league and be a hard matchup for anybody going up against him. He is one of those types of guys. He has got a lot to learn but he is special and I don’t say that about too many rookies.”

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Bouknight represents a big part of the future in Charlotte and should see plenty of playing time this season. He has the ability to give the Hornets a boost of offense off the bench, one area from which the team will greatly benefit.

With steady improvement over the next few years, Bouknight could emerge as one of the top players from this draft class. Rozier certainly won’t be surprised to see that happen.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Hornets suffer embarrassing 68-point loss to Mavs in preseason finale

Countless injuries leads to an ugly loss for the Hornets.

68 points.

That’s what the Hornets lost by on Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks, losing 127-59.

This contest seemed to be over before it even started as the Hornets continue to be shorthanded as Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, and Kelly Oubre Jr. missed another game due to injury.

Yet, that wasn’t the last of the injuries as Miles Bridges left the game in the first half with right knee discomfort. P.J. Washington dislocated his left middle finger in the second quarter but returned to the game.

“We got a long way to go,” head coach James Borrego said after the loss. “Now we start 0-0. We cleanse it, move forward, get ready for practice on Friday and we play next Wednesday.”

Rookie James Bouknight led Charlotte in scoring with 12 points off the bench.

As the preseason has come to an end and the regular season kicks off next Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers, the Hornets need to focus on getting their squad healthy and ready to go on opening night.

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WATCH: James Bouknight throws down poster dunk against Grizzlies

The UConn product has impressed so far during the first two preseason games.

Through the first two preseason games, Hornets rookie James Bouknight has already started to prove himself as a steal.

In his debut on Monday, Bouknight led the Hornets in scoring with 20 points in Charlotte’s 113-97 victory. On Thursday, despite the 30-point loss to the Grizzlies, Bouknight continued his efficient scoring off the bench, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-16 shooting.

But, one of his buckets on Thursday stood out from the rest. With under five minutes remaining in the game, Bouknight took it coast-to-coast, throwing down a monster slam over Grizzlies forward Shaq Buchanan.

Check out the poster slam below.

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Hornets season preview: Is LaMelo Ball ready to become an All-Star?

The Charlotte Hornets are a team that can potentially exceed expectations, especially if LaMelo Ball is able to further improve his game.

The Charlotte Hornets are a team that can potentially exceed expectations, especially if LaMelo Ball is able to further improve his game.

Ball is one of the most exciting young players in basketball and the sky is the limit when it comes to his career. But there are still some questions about if that will translate to winning for the Hornets. For example, will he have enough talent around him to make a splash in the postseason?

Below, check out our preview for the 2021-22 Hornets campaign.

Bouknight scores 20 as Hornets ease past Thunder in preseason opener

The UConn rookie impressed in his preseason debut.

The Charlotte Hornets opened up their preseason schedule on Monday with a 113-97 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Rookie James Bouknight led the way for the Hornets, scoring 20 points. 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor. Bouknight impressed with his three-level scoring ability off the bench, which will come in handy for the Hornets this season.

LaMelo Ball finished with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in just 21 minutes of action.

The biggest takeaway outside of Bouknight’s performance from the preseason opener was the starting lineup, which featured Miles Bridges instead of P.J. Washington. Of course, that doesn’t mean that’s the official starting lineup for the Hornets but it gave us a glimpse as to what James Borrego is thinking.

Kelly Oubre Jr. left the game in the third quarter with a right lower leg strain and did not return, which Borrego called ‘day-to-day’ and not serious.

Charlotte will return home for a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.

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‘You gotta kill them’: Terry Rozier not going easy on Bouknight, Jones

Bouknight and Jones may be new to the Hornets but that doesn’t mean the veterans are going to take it easy on them.

James Bouknight and Kai Jones may be new to the Charlotte Hornets but that doesn’t mean the veterans on the roster are going to take it easy on the two rookies during training camp.

In fact, as Terry Rozier said, it is quite the opposite: “You gotta kill ’em.”

The statement by Rozier doesn’t mean the veterans on the roster won’t help the two rookies. They have welcomed them aboard and have offered guidance and willingly answered any questions they have had during training camp.

Rozier even organized private workouts for the team in Miami recently.

“The older guys here have been such a big help for me,” Bouknight said. “When you come into the league, you really don’t know what to expect. Everybody is so much stronger, faster. People have kids, like go home to three kids and a wife so it’s just different. We have older guys and vets that show me the ropes and help me get through the days and they’re going to help me get through training camp and the season.”

Rozier sees a player like Bouknight and knows he can help him with a little tough love. The added competition will only help Bouknight improve his overall game, especially when he knows he is getting maximum effort from everyone on the court.

The veteran knows Bouknight will eventually appreciate that in the future.

“He is a guy you can’t take it easy on,” Rozier said. “A Brooklyn kid, a tough guy who can play. You teach him all of the little things but you get after him in practice and compete because he is going to appreciate that more than anything. Nobody gave me nothing when I first came into the league and I still appreciate that to this day.”

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Bouknight finished a strong stint in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Hornets last month, averaging 16.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds in four appearances. He produced his best game after recording 23 points and eight assists on Aug. 12.

Meanwhile, Jones posted 9.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in five games. His best game came on Aug. 16 with 16 points and nine rebounds while his 16 rebounds hauled in on Aug. 14 were the fourth-most in a game this year.

The two players represent a big part of the future in Charlotte and should see plenty of playing time this season. With the help of Rozier and the rest of the team, they figure to be ready for whatever is thrown at them.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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2021 NBA Draft: A complete tracker of every rookie shoe deal

Rookie Wire took a look at the players that have signed endorsement contracts with apparel companies ahead of the 2021-22 season.

With the start of the 2021-22 season approaching, at least a quarter of players drafted in July have inked shoe endorsement contracts with prospective apparel companies.

The endorsement deals are headlined by Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham signing with Nike. The No. 1 overall pick signed what is believed to be the highest-earning shoe deal among all rookie players this year.

Prospects last season signed fewer endorsement contracts with brands due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, apparel companies worked fast this year to sign some of the top prospects with Nike and Adidas doing the majority of the work.

Rookie Wire took a look at those players that have signed endorsement contracts to this point and which companies they will be joining ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Note: The tracker will be updated as new deals are announced

James Bouknight, Kai Jones linked up with LaMelo, Hornets for pickup games

The two Hornets rookies were among the players in attendance recently for some pickup games in Miami.

With NBA teams set to convene later this month for training camp, the Charlotte Hornets recently organized team pickup games in Miami with most of their roster in attendance.

Teams around the league will begin training camp during the final week of the month with the preseason set to tipoff on Oct. 3. The Hornets got a jump on training camp and had several of their current players and new additions present.

Hornets rookies James Bouknight and Kai Jones were among the newcomers on the court during the pickup games as they got in some of their first action with their new teammates.

Bouknight finished a strong stint in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Hornets last month, averaging 16.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds in four appearances. Bouknight produced his best game after recording 23 points and eight assists on Aug. 12.

Meanwhile, Jones posted 9.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in five games. His best game came on Aug. 16 with 16 points and nine rebounds while his 16 rebounds hauled in on Aug. 14 were the fourth-most in a game this year.

The two players represent a big part of the future in Charlotte and should see plenty of playing time this season. The opportunity to get a head start with their new teammates on the court in Miami should only help the transition to the team.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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James Bouknight signs endorsement deal with Nike

The No. 11 pick in the 2021 NBA draft has signed with the Swoosh.

The No. 11 pick in the 2021 NBA draft has chosen checks over stripes.

Hornets rookie James Bouknight has signed an endorsement deal with Nike, Bouknight told Nick DePaula of Boardroom.

“I’m super excited to announce that I’ve signed with Nike,” Bouknight told Boardroom. “Honestly, for as long as I can remember I’ve been wearing Nike. Growing up, hoopin’ in KD’s, hoopin’ in Kyrie’s, hoopin’ in Kobe’s. UConn was a Nike Elite school, I honestly couldn’t see myself as anything other than a Nike athlete.”

The Hornets have a variety of shoe endorsement deals across the roster with LaMelo Ball signed with Puma, Gordon Hayward with Anta, Kelly Oubre Jr. with Converse, etc.

Check out the full announcement below.

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Hornets’ James Bouknight signs shoe endorsement deal with Nike

Bouknight joins a star-studded roster of Nike athletes, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Paul George among others.

Charlotte Hornets rookie James Bouknight has signed a multiyear shoe and apparel endorsement contract with Nike, the 11th overall pick confirmed to Nick DePaula of the Boardroom.

Bouknight is the sixth prospect this year to sign with Nike, joining Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, Jonathan Kuminga, Chris Duarte and Moses Moody. They join a star-studded roster of athletes, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Paul George among others.

The 20-year-old recently finished off a strong stint in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Hornets. He averaged 16.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds in four appearances. Bouknight produced his best game after recording 23 points and eight assists on Aug. 12.

The crop of Nike rookie players this year are expected to help Nike usher in their new “Greater Than” series, wearing player-exclusive models like the GT Cut, GT Run and GT Jump on the court.

It is estimated 68% of NBA players wear Nike on the court.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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