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Charlotte Hornets: Five draft prospects to watch for in the NCAA Tournament

By Jerry Stephens

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 14: Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) battles with Duke Blue Devils forward Wendell Carter Jr (34) for a loose ball during the State Farm Classic Champions Classic game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Michigan State Spartans on November 14, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 14: Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) battles with Duke Blue Devils forward Wendell Carter Jr (34) for a loose ball during the State Farm Classic Champions Classic game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Michigan State Spartans on November 14, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 09: Kevin Knox #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the quarterfinals round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 9, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 09: Kevin Knox #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the quarterfinals round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 9, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The NCAA tournament is full of exciting prospects who could be options for the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA Draft.

With the Charlotte Hornets‘ playoff chances waning, their sights should be fully set on the upcoming draft. The first round of March Madness is set to begin on March 15th and there are plenty of potential prospects to keep an eye on throughout the tournament. Marvin Bagley and DeAndre Ayton are the obvious big name targets but there are other lottery-bound players who could boost their draft stock with strong performances in March.

With the Hornets’ current form, they will most likely end the season in the 10th spot of the Eastern Conference and with the 10th-worst record in the entire league. Unless Charlotte gets extremely lucky in the lottery, they will probably land around the 10th pick in the 2018 draft. Here are five players to watch for this year who could be available in the lottery:

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1. Kevin Knox – Kentucky

The 19-year old freshman leads a young Wildcats’ team in scoring and three’s made this season. While John Calipari’s side had their fair share of struggles early in the year, they have seemed to figure things out as they won the SEC Tournament and claimed a five seed in the South Region. They will be up against the 12th seeded Davidson Wildcats in the first round.

Knox has been Kentucky’s best player this season averaging 15.6 points per game, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 44.4% from the field, 35.4% from deep and 76.8% from the free throw line. The 6’9 combo forward has the ability to score inside while also stretching the floor. He’s recorded two double-double’s this year and has scored in double-figures in all but six games. (Nine games of 20+)

Most mock drafts have Charlotte taking Knox in the lottery. The link makes sense since they have lacked offensive production from their starting forward spots (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marvin Williams). Kevin could immediately slide into the Hornets’ starting lineup and replace either MKG or Marvin.

It will be a tough road for Knox and Kentucky this year as they could face Arizona in the second round and they are in the same region as Virginia and North Carolina. If the Wildcats happen to make some noise in the tournament, it will most probably up Kevin’s draft stock as he will most likely be the reason why they advance.