(CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — The Charlotte Hornets selected Tidjane Salaun with the sixth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Wednesday night.
The 18-year-old Salaun 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.
It was the first selection under the new front office and head coach Charles Lee, introduced Tuesday.
The Hornets are coming off a 21-61 season that saw two starters, LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams, miss extended time from injuries, and a roster overall at the trade deadline. Then-head coach Steve Clifford stepped down at the end of the season.
Salaun, a native of Paris, is the third French player selected in the first six picks in the Draft. His sister, Janelle, plays professional basketball in France.
The Hornets’ next scheduled pick is in the second round at 42 overall.
Here are the last six first-round picks from the Hornets:
2024: Tidjane Salaun (6), France
2023: Brandon Miller (2), Alabama
2022: Mark Williams (15), Duke
2021: James Bouknight (11), UConn
2020: LaMelo Ball (3), Int’l
2019: PJ Washington (12) Kentucky