By June 24, 2026
Photo: Adam Hunger / AP
After weeks of speculation about Charlotte potentially moving up, trading down, or even exiting the draft entirely, the Hornets ultimately stayed put at picks No. 14 and No. 18. With those selections, they added two intriguing rookies to their roster: German big man Hannes Steinbach and German/American point guard Christian Anderson Jr.
As the draft unfolded, several prospects linked to Charlotte — including Morez Johnson, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Aday Mara — came off the board before the Hornets were on the clock. By the time their turn arrived, Steinbach was the lone remaining player heavily connected to the team in pre-draft conversations, and Charlotte stuck to the script.
Hannes Steinbach
Steinbach is a 6’11” power forward/center known for his relentless rebounding motor and flashes of skill as both a shooter and playmaker. While his offensive versatility is appealing, questions remain about how well his defense will translate to the NBA level — likely the biggest hurdle in his development.
Hailing from the small German town of Moos, Steinbach grew up on a horse farm and played for Würzburg, the same system that produced NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki. There’s even a personal connection: Steinbach’s father played alongside Nowitzki in Germany, and the families have remained close over the years.
“When I was younger, he used to come to our home with his family… we still have a good relationship,” Steinbach said of his relationship with Nowitzki.
After a year playing professionally with Würzburg, Steinbach moved to the University of Washington for his freshman season and made an immediate impact, averaging 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds, leading Division I with 22 double-doubles.
His game is built on elite rebounding at both ends, but there’s more to it than that. Steinbach shows soft touch around the rim with floaters and has flashed perimeter shooting (34% from three on modest volume). In his post-draft comments, he suggested there’s still more to show in that area.
From a roster-construction standpoint, Steinbach immediately projects as the most offensively skilled big man in Charlotte’s rotation. While players like Moussa Diabate are largely confined to screening and finishing duties, Steinbach offers a more dynamic offensive profile with his ball-handling, dribble handoff playmaking, perimeter attack ability, and nuanced decision-making.
Steinbach also shined internationally, earning a spot on the FIBA U19 World Cup “All Star Five” in 2025 where he averaged 17.4 points, 13 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.
Christian Anderson Jr.
Four picks later, the Hornets selected a familiar face for Steinbach: his former youth teammate, Christian Anderson Jr.
A 6’2” sophomore guard out of Texas Tech, Anderson Jr. is widely regarded as one of the best pure shooters in the 2026 draft class. After spending his freshman season primarily off the ball, he stepped into full point guard duties this past year and thrived. He averaged 18.5 points 3.6 rebounds 7.4 assists shooting an impressive 41.5% from three. His shot-making off the dribble stands out as an elite, NBA-ready skill.
There’s also a strong regional connection with Anderson Jr., who played AAU basketball for Team CP3 in Winston-Salem, and with family ties in the area, he expressed excitement about landing in a place that already feels familiar.
Like Steinbach, Anderson Jr. was also named to the FIBA U19 “All Star Five” in 2025, reinforcing the chemistry and familiarity the two bring into Charlotte.
Anderson Jr.’s offensive upside is clear, but there are a few areas he’ll need to develop to carve out a consistent role at the NBA level. Defensively, his 6’2”, 180-pound frame could make him a target, especially without the strength or physical presence that similarly sized guards like Jalen Brunson rely on to hold up. Offensively, while he excels as a perimeter scorer, he’ll need to find ways to generate more consistent rim pressure, as he isn’t an elite athlete and currently leans heavily on outside shooting. Additionally, despite posting strong playmaking numbers, his 3.3 turnovers per game highlight that there’s still room to improve his decision-making and overall control as a primary ball-handler.
The selection of Anderson Jr. introduces an interesting dynamic in the backcourt, particularly regarding Coby White’s future. With LaMelo Ball and White already in the mix (pending free agency decision), there isn’t a clear immediate pathway to major minutes.
However, Anderson provides valuable depth and insurance. If injuries affect Ball or White — something that has been an issue in recent seasons — Anderson Jr. offers a capable offensive option and additional ball-handling.
Final Takeaways
Overall, Charlotte’s draft haul reflects a clear swing on upside. Not only does Steinbach fill a positional need, but he brings a level of offensive skill and versatility that the Hornets’ frontcourt has been lacking. He ranked 10th on my personal big board, so landing him at 14 feels like strong value with legitimate starter potential.
The Anderson Jr. selection is more of a mixed bag. While his elite shooting and offensive upside are undeniable, I had him 29th on my board, making this feel more like a slight reach and developmental pick. That said, there is a broader range of opinions on him across the draft landscape, with respected analysts such as Sam Vecenie (17th) and Jeremy Woo (16th) ranking him significantly higher.
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Ultimately, the Hornets walk away with a high-upside big and a skilled developmental point guard prospect. It’s a draft that could be a home run if both players reach their ceilings, but its ultimate success will likely hinge on how Anderson Jr.’s development unfolds.
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