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NBA Draft 2017: 5 targets for the Charlotte Hornets

By Cody Williams

Jan 21, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) talks to head coach Steve Clifford during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) talks to head coach Steve Clifford during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) grabs a rebound against the Arizona State Sun Devils as guard Lonzo Ball (2) looks on in the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) grabs a rebound against the Arizona State Sun Devils as guard Lonzo Ball (2) looks on in the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA

Also on the list of needs for the Hornets moving forward is a defensive-minded big man. Given the draft capital that they’ve invested in their frontcourt, that’s certainly a tough pill to swallow. However, the common thread with players like Zeller and Kaminsky (more so the latter) is that they’ve been deficient on the defensive end. Thus, it’d make sense for Charlotte to go after a rim protector that can shore up the defensive interior.

Though raw, UCLA product Ike Anigbogu could be a player that’s able to do that in Buzz City. In terms of his height, the one-and-done prospect is a bit undersized at just 6-foot-10. However, he more than makes up for that with a ridiculous 7-foot-6 wingspan that allows him to affect most every shot at the rim.

At his best, Anigbogu has already proven that he can be a force on the interior as a defender. For a team like Charlotte in need of better rim protection for their bigs, he could provide that in a massive way if he continues to develop. His offensive game is still a work-in-progress and even has limited potential, but that’s not what the Hornets would desire from him.

The risk with taking the UCLA product, however, is that he’s far from polished in terms of his defense. While he can affect any shot at the rim, he has a propensity for getting caught out of position in the interest of chasing blocks. We’ve seen countless examples of players getting in trouble because of that as they transition to the NBA. Therefore, the time needed to develop that discipline would be something Charlotte has to consider.

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