CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — The Hornets are introduced sixth overall pick Tidjane Salaun and 42nd overall pick KJ Simpson at a press conference on Friday.
Salaun, 18, comes to the NBA from the French LNB Pro A league, where he played for Cholet Basket. Last season, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 22.7 points per game.
Simpson, 21, was a former guard from Colorado. He averaged 19.7 points as a junior last season. The 6-foot-2 guard shot was lethal from the 3-point line, shooting 48 percent from the field, and 45 percent from beyond the arc. His 4.9 assists were second in the conference.
This is Charles Lee’s first draft class and will look to add the rookies to a young team that finished with the league’s third-worst record in the 2023-2024 season.