NBA Draft: Hornets select UCLA G Amari Bailey with 41st overall pick in second round
The Charlotte Hornets added another guard in the second round of Thursday’s NBA Draft.
With the 41st overall pick, the Hornets selected UCLA guard Amari Bailey. The Los Angeles, California, native joins forward Brandon Miller (No. 2), guard Nick Smith Jr. (No. 27) and center James Nnaji (No. 31, acquired in a trade with the Boston Celtics) as part of the Hornets’ rookie class.
The 19-year-old shooting guard spent one season with the Bruins. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game during his college career.
Bailey will compete for playing time behind LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier as a rookie. Like Smith, Bailey will most likely be a rotational player during his first season in Charlotte.
Hornets’ NBA Draft picks:
No. 2 overall: Brandon Miller, F, Alabama
No. 27 overall: Nick Smith Jr., G, Arkansas
No. 31 overall (via Boston): James Nnaji, C, Nigeria (originally selected by Detroit Pistons)
No. 41st overall: Amari Bailey, G, UCLA
This story was originally published June 23, 2023 at 12:06 AM.
