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Draft prospect Bam Adebayo wants to play for the Charlotte Hornets

By Jerry Stephens

Jan 21, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) shoots the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Duane Notice (10) in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 85-69. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) shoots the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Duane Notice (10) in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 85-69. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Potential lottery pick, Bam Adebayo, out of Kentucky said that he wants to play for the Charlotte Hornets during an interview at the NBA Draft Combine.

While interviewing with ESPN’s NBA Draft Combine crew, Bam Adebayo dropped a major nugget about his potential future in the NBA and possibly with the Charlotte Hornets. When asked “What team would you like to go to if you could go to any team?” The Kentucky product responded, “I’ve always wanted to go to Charlotte because it’s close to home and I could see my family.”

Adebayo also said that his agent told him that he is projected to go anywhere from the sixth pick to 16th in the first round. DraftExpress.com has him going 29th overall to the San Antonio Spurs while NBADraft.net has him being selected by the Portland Trail Blazers at 15. It is clear that he is a first round talent. It just depends on which team will take a chance on him.

Looking at those projections, it may be a bit of a reach if the Hornets were to take him with their lottery pick in the first round. It is clear that he is a first round talent. It just depends on which team will take a chance on him. Outside of the lottery, mid to late-first round, seems like the best prediction.

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During his lone season under head coach John Calipari, Bam averaged 13.0 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game and 1.5 blocks per game in 38 appearances. He also managed to shoot 60.1% from the field and 65.3% from the free throw line. He also helped lead Kentucky to a 32-6 season that ended with a loss to North Carolina in the Elite Eight.

While at the combine, he measured in at 6’9¾” and 243 pounds with a 7’2¾” wingspan and a 9’0″ standing reach. The center grew up in Gatesville, NC and went to high school at High Point Christian Academy in North Carolina. With Charlotte being so close to his hometown, it makes sense that he mentioned the team.

Here is the full video of Bam Adebayo’s answer:

In an interview earlier this year, Kemba Walker dropped Adebayo’s name when asked about who Charlotte should target in the 2017 NBA Draft. The All-Star point guard said “That kid in Kentucky — Bam (Edrice Adebayo). I like him. I like the way he plays; he’s big.” (QCityMetro.com)

Next: Taking a Look at Potential Second Round Prospects

It will be interesting to see where Bam ends up going this summer. The Charlotte Hornets may be an unlikely landing spot in the lottery but if they managed to trade for a late first round pick, they could be able to get him. Only time will tell as his draft stock could rise over the next month. I would expect the team to bring him in for a pre-draft workout to get a better look at him.

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