Rumor: Charlotte Hornets to sign former UNC forward Isaiah Hicks
The Charlotte Hornets are working to fill their open roster spots and a former UNC player looks to be their latest addition.
According to Tate Frazier, the Charlotte Hornets are signing Isaiah Hicks. The photo shows Hicks and Rich Cho going over paperwork. The former University of North Carolina forward will probably be signed to a minimum deal as he will help round out the team’s roster for training camp.
Frazier also added that an official announcement has not yet been made because they are “probably waiting to figure out money.”
It’s worth noting that Rich Cho already made it clear that he wants to add two more players before September in the form of a third point guard and a sixth big man. With five big men already under contract (Marvin Williams, Frank Kaminsky, Johnny O’Bryant, Dwight Howard and Cody Zeller), Hicks will provide more front court depth for the Hornets.
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Isaiah had signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this summer but with this recent news, it appears as if that deal was pulled or he didn’t accept it as Frazier tweeted. Charlotte has already used both of their two-way contracts to sign Marcus Paige and Mangok Mathiang so they are most likely using one of their final roster spots and a minimum deal to bring in Hicks.
The 6’9 big man spent four years at UNC playing under head coach Roy Williams. During his senior season, he averaged 11.8 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 57.6% from the field and 77.9% from the free throw line. He was fourth on the team in scoring, second in rebounds and first in field goal percentage.
Hicks helped lead the Tar Heels to a NCAA title during the 2016-17 season. The former McDonald’s All-American was named the ACC Sixth Man of the Year in 2016 and was North Carolina’s Mr. Basketball in 2013. the NC native will now stay in his home state with the Hornets.
After going undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft, Isaiah immediately signed a deal with the Clippers after the second round ended. He played with their summer league team where he put up 8.0 PPG and 3.0 RPG.
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Although Hicks is mainly being brought in for competition during camp and preseason, he should get a fair shot to make the roster if he plays well enough and impresses the Charlotte Hornets. The team now has three players from UNC under contract. It may have something to do with their owner.