Charlotte traded for former Jazz guard Collin Sexton in late June. By PRODUCED BY DIAMOND VENCES| FOOTAGE BY ROD BOONE
Charles Lee’s passport is collecting a few stamps, thanks to traversing the Atlantic Ocean to a destination with a six-hour time difference from what he’s used to.
But this trip doesn’t have the Charlotte Hornets coach sitting at a tropical resort in the Caribbean, parked next to the pool sipping a beverage with an umbrella in it.
Lee is in Rwanda, Africa, at the moment, participating in the NBA’s annual Basketball Without Borders program targeted at teaching the top 60 high school-aged boys and girls from 21 countries across Africa.
“Coaching the kids, there’s a hunger, an eagerness, a curiosity from the kids and an energy that they bring every day,” Lee told The Observer in a phone conversation during a mid-day break from the activities. “They are very passionate about the game here.
“And even from when I was in Cairo (in 2022) to now coming to Rwanda, you can tell that the game has grown, their fundamentals, their skill sets. I think coaches are doing a lot better job, just teaching the game. And you can see that they’re much more well-rounded players now and not only able to do one thing. So, I love coaching the kids. I think it brings me a lot of joy.”
Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Spectrum Center. Jim Dedmon USA TODAY NETWORK
‘Learning never stops’
In a sense, Lee is also harkening back to his college days as a guard at Bucknell University, doing his best to dish out an assist. This year’s four-day clinic marked the first time the NBA, along with FIBA, held its global basketball development and community outreach program in East Africa. Previous editions of the event took place in Angola, Egypt, Senegal, and South Africa.
This version includes two NBA Academy Africa prospects, and Lee has someone Hornets fans are familiar with — Marvin Williams, who ranks 16th in points and sixth in made 3-pointers in franchise history. Indiana Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori also on among those on hand.
Just being a part of the environment could be a booster for Lee entering his second season at the helm in Charlotte.
“There’s a lot of growth ideas that come from a trip like this,” Lee said. “No. 1, you get to watch other coaches coach their teams here at BWB and watch their practices and learn some of their terminology and the different ways that they teach things, which I think is always great. In between camp sessions, you get to spend time with other head coaches, assistant coaches. Whether it be in the NBA, Africa or in Europe.
“The conversations never stop, the learning never stops. So, there’s a ton of growth opportunities and ideas that I can kind of take from this experience.”
Perhaps even something out of Williams’ playbook. Apparently, it’s rather crafty,
“He’s been my assistant coach and he’s drawn up some beautiful ATOs,” Lee said, referring to the moniker for set plays following timeouts. “He’s keeping me positive and sane. Nah, Marvin’s been amazing. I know that he’s done this BWB experience before as a player, and then now he’s still doing it with that player’s mindset. But he’s also adding in the coaching hat. And he’s been really good with the kids.
“He brings a knowledge to the game that probably supersedes mine at that time, and so I’m learning from him. Even when we do our drills and our breakdowns, he’s interacting with the kids a ton. I know he’s also done a panel and got to talk to the kids and so he’s giving back. We’re both just trying to give back to this community and make sure they have all the right resources they need to just continue to grow the game in Africa.”
Keeping tabs on Charlotte
As that’s happening halfway across the globe, things still remain under control back at home in Charlotte and elsewhere. Lee can still rest easy, even on another continent as preparations for the 2025-26 season begin slowly ramping up over.
“That’s why you hire such a great staff, that they’re able to kind of hold it down on the home front,” Lee said. “I know that all of our players are kind of situated, whether it be in-market doing the rehab programs, or if they’re out of market, we’re always staying in touch with them and always kind of making sure that we’re checking up on them as players and as human beings. I think whenever they do come back, that’s when you get to re-evaluate them — where are they physically, where are they mentally, how are they preparing for the season?
“And thank goodness we have these modern day technologies. So, the text message works and the Facetime, it still works overseas and I’m able to still stay connected to those guys. So, nothing’s lost whether I’m here, whether I’m back in the states. But I just love the offseason that we’ve had. I think the focus that everyone’s had, the commitment to trying to get better, increasing their intensity of their workouts, and i’m looking forward to getting back after it “
Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee on the bench during the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mady Mertens USA TODAY NETWORK
Which is why, during a spot on the yearly calendar where many in his line of work are probably looking to get in their last vacation time, Lee has no qualms about the lengthy voyage. A non-stop flight to that side of the world takes more than 14 hours from most of the major airports on the East Coast, making it a true commitment.
Doing it a month before training camp begins in South Carolina is no small feat.
“Yeah, I would say, No. 1 the grind doesn’t stop,” Lee said. “Charlotte Hornets basketball is always on my mind. Everything I do is for that organization, that program while those players just continue to get better. Again, I even think that this helps me be better.
“It gives me perspective, it gives me a culture experience, getting to teach the game and continue to talk the game, and get on the court and do drills, and connect to make these lifelong partnerships is actually really rejuvenating and refreshing to come to Africa and get this opportunity. So, I’m looking forward to getting back and working with our team and our players, but I’m going to soak up every moment of this and not take any of it for granted.”
Return of the Mann
Among the Hornets Lee’s thrilled to have in the fold once more? Tre Mann.
After missing most of the 2024-25 campaign with disc herniation, Mann agreed to a three-year, $24 million pact in July, returning to beef up a guard rotation also boosted by the addition of Collin Sexton.
“It’s really exciting to have Tre back,” Lee said. “I think we saw how much he gives our team when he was healthy early in the year, helped us really get off to a good start both offensively and defensively. I think that this offseason, you can tell he just elevates the gym when he’s around. His work ethic, his commitment to his body and to his game permeates throughout our gym. And I think because of that, we’re all getting better.
“Tre has this great quality about himself where he can build the relationships, gain the trust and earn the trust of his teammates. So, I’m looking forward to having him back out there on the court and off the court as well, to help kind of keep just bringing this thing together and building.”
In the meantime, before the Hornets reconvene, it’s all about keeping the lasting memories Lee is collecting globe-trotting in East Africa and interacting with some of its youth in the name of the NBA close to his heart.
“They give me a good perspective on how this is their dream, to hopefully make it to the NBA,” Lee said. “There’s been so many success stories that come out of Basketball Without Borders, and they want to be the next kid that has that opportunity. And so they almost inspire me with how much passion and energy they bring every day.”