The Collective Charlotte Hornets Bloggers 2018 Mock Draft
By Noah Purser
![Luka Doncic #7 of Real Madrid in action during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Play Offs Game 4 between Real Madrid v Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at Wizink Center on April 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by COOLMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Luka Doncic #7 of Real Madrid in action during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Play Offs Game 4 between Real Madrid v Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at Wizink Center on April 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by COOLMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/30d81b5411c8edbbc188d6f7d66b8a9b7c4db4ad168415257b1b4424ce207855.jpg)
With the eleventh pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets select Zhaire Smith from Texas Tech University.
Charlotte Hornets’ fans, get ready to witness Zhaire Smith. If you haven’t watched the video above, I would certainly recommend it. Zhaire Smith is a 6’6″ shooting guard who (probably) has the most athletic ability in this years’ class.
Zhaire would be just the second Texas Tech alum to be selected in the NBA Draft’s lottery (first was Tony Battie). His per 100 possession stats are frankly unbelievable, considering he almost didn’t enter into this year’s draft. Zhaire finished averaging 23.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per 100 possessions. While doing so, he shot 45% from three and held his own with a 95 Defensive Rating.
Though he didn’t have much momentum coming into the season, Zhaire proved himself as one of the nation’s top talents and helped lead the Running Rebels to an Elite 8 appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Zhaire Smith would fit right in the Hornets future plans, regardless of what happens with Kemba Walker. Zhaire would also complement Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon as well, offering defense and supreme transition play.
Other Player(s) Receiving Votes: Miles Bridges (3 Votes)