Why the Hornets like second-round NBA draft picks Vernon Carey Jr. and Grant Riller
The Charlotte Hornets picked Duke’s Vernon Carey Jr. with the 32nd pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft, and later in the second round selected Grant Riller from College of Charleston 56th.
Carey Jr., a 6-foot-10 center, was the ACC freshman of the year and a consensus second team All-American. Hornets coach James Borrego said the team needed a player with Carey’s talents.
Carey is a “physical big that can run the floor and plays a physical style and commands attention on the interior,” Borrego said. “We need help there at the big spot. I’ve got to get to know him. I don’t know him extremely well ... but we’re excited about the pick: A big physical big. Good hands, good touch. It’s my job and our job to develop him.”
Carey’s father played eight seasons for the Miami Dolphins, and Carey Jr. grew up in South Florida.
Carey Jr. played one season at Duke, when he averaged 17.8 points and 8.8 rebounds, while shooting 57% from the field.
Carey said he compares his game to current and former NBA players like Bucks center Brook Lopez and Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.
“Guys like Brook Lopez, him being able to stretch the floor, I feel like that’s something I can come in and do,” Carey said. “Growing up, I watched Dirk a lot, and guys like (Lakers forward) Anthony Davis and (Miami forward) Bam (Adebayo) and try to take little parts from their game, really.”
Carey think his game will work with well with the Hornets first round pick LaMelo Ball.
“It’s kind of similar to what I have with (Duke point guard) Tre’ (Jones) this past year,” Carey said. “Just being to run certain situations like pick and pop or pick and rolls, and just playing basketball really. I feel like (Ball) is the type of player you can just play basketball with.”
▪ Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak said Charlotte expected Riller to be off the board well before the 56th pick and was happy for him to fall in their lap. The 6-3 guard averaged 21.9 points 5.1 rebounds and and 3.9 assists as a senior last season.
He finished his career as the CAA’s No. 3 scorer with 2,474 points, behind David Robinson of Navy and Charles Jenkins of Hofstra.
This story was originally published November 18, 2020 at 11:07 PM.
