Hornets’ Noah Vonleh a work in progress

Noah Vonleh

Positions: Power forward, center

Contract status: He will make $2.6 million next season on his rookie-scale contract, then the Hornets will have two one-season team options.

Seasons in the NBA: One.

Telling statistic: Vonleh played the fewest games (25) and minutes (259) among 2015 lottery picks who weren’t seriously injury as rookies or who didn’t play in the NBA this season

Season review: The plan was never for Vonleh to play much as a rookie. The Hornets selected him ninth for his long-term potential, not his being ready for the NBA after a single college season at Indiana. Vonleh has great size, good athleticism and a decent outside shot. Clifford started playing him regularly after the team was eliminated from playoff contention, looking to get something out of the last few games.

Vonleh shot just 39 percent from the field, which is not what you expect from someone who took half his shots at the rim. But Clifford likes how hard Vonleh played in those last few games.

Clifford frequently advises Vonleh to look first for his offense in the post and not become dependent on his jump shot. Instead, his ability to shoot all the way out to the 3-point line should be a complementary skill that catches defenders off-guard.

This story was originally published April 18, 2015 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Hornets’ Noah Vonleh a work in progress."