The Charlotte Hornets have gone back to the Duke well by selecting guard Sion James with the 33rd pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.
James served as a role player on a loaded Duke team last season, and he’ll play that same role in the NBA. He’s got good size as a guard/wing and is built like a football player. He’s a very good defender that can guard across multiple positions and he tested as one of the best athletes at the combine. He’s also a smart player that takes care of the ball, passes well, and knocks down shots when he decides to take them.
He’s another guy that fits the same character mold that the Hornets have been targeting almost exclusively in this draft. He plays selfless, team basketball with a high IQ and high motor. The Hornets continue to build out their culture of young, winning players with James serving as the defensive specialist of the group.
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