By June 27, 2025
Photo: Michael Spomer / AP
Charlotte didn’t have to wait long on night two of the NBA Draft. Just eight minutes into the second round, the Hornets were on the clock with picks 33 and 34. Entering the night, the team had two clear needs: perimeter defense and interior size with rim protection. By selecting seniors Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte addressed both while adding two of the more experienced prospects in the class.
Pick 33 – Sion James, SG/SF (Duke)
Sion James played this past season alongside fellow Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel at Duke. Initially coming off the bench, James eventually earned a starting role — ousting Caleb Foster from the starting lineup — and thrived as a defensive specialist and efficient, low-usage contributor on a loaded Blue Devils roster.
Standing 6’6” with a strong, physical frame, James is a versatile defender capable of guarding positions one through four. He brings active hands, disciplined footwork, and even some weakside rim protection – rare for a guard. He profiles as a versatile defensive perimeter player in the mold of former second-round pick Cody Martin.
Offensively, James remains limited, but there’s optimism surrounding his improved three-point shooting. After shooting 38% from deep as a junior and 41% as a senior, he’s trending in the right direction to carve out a role as a 3-and-D contributor.
The pick also reunites him with Knueppel, potentially easing the latter’s transition to the pros. Speaking to Charlotte media after being drafted, James said he was “super excited” to continue playing with Knueppel:
“I love that kid. The fact we get to play together again is super special.”
Hornets fans will hope that chemistry translates to the court.
Pick 34 – Ryan Kalkbrenner C (Creighton)
Charlotte landed one of the best rim protectors in the class with the 34th pick — fifth-year senior Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton, a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. After testing the draft waters twice in previous years, Kalkbrenner returned to school, continued to improve, and ultimately cemented himself as an elite shot-blocker and efficient interior scorer.
Shortly after being drafted, Kalkbrenner told the Charlotte media he was thrilled with his landing spot:
“I’m really glad to be drafted by the Hornets — I loved it there on my visit.”
He also shared his self-awareness and underdog mindset:
“People will be surprised how much I’m able to contribute as a second-round pick. Sometimes when you see a big guy running, it can look clunky, he said. “I probably don’t pass the eye test. But I play my butt off, I do all the little things to win, and I’m locked in every single day. I’m glad Charlotte recognized that.”
In his super senior season, Kalkbrenner averaged 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game, shooting 65% from the field and 34% from deep on limited attempts. He was dominant in the paint, converting an absurd 75.5% of his interior looks against top-50 opponents.
Kalkbrenner turns 23 this summer, making him one of the oldest prospects in the class. That experience — paired with Charlotte’s need for rim protection — could help him earn minutes early. He’ll likely compete with Moussa Diabaté or Jusuf Nurkić in the nightly rotation depending on matchups.
By drafting battle-tested seniors in James and Kalkbrenner, the Hornets appear to be prioritizing immediate impact and maturity over boom-or-bust upside. Both players bring high-level intangibles and toughness, and both have realistic paths to contributing next season.
It’s a departure from recent second-round swings on raw projects like Amari Bailey, James Nnaji, Bryce McGowens, and Vernon Carey Jr. This new front office seems less interested in mining for gold and more focused on finding solid, reliable pieces who can help win basketball games and build a better culture.
Check out NBA analyst and writer James Plowright’s full recap of the Charlotte Hornets’ first round of the NBA Draft.
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