Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets tried to sign Jock Landale

By Jerry Stephens

SALT LAKE CITY - JULY 2: Jock Landale #34 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2018 Summer League at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on July 2, 2018 in Salt Lake CIty, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY - JULY 2: Jock Landale #34 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2018 Summer League at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on July 2, 2018 in Salt Lake CIty, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Undrafted rookie Jock Landale turned down a training camp offer from the Charlotte Hornets to instead play overseas.

According to ESPN, Jock Landale had training camp offers from the at least three NBA teams including the Charlotte Hornets, the Utah Jazz, and the Milwaukee Bucks. Instead of joining an NBA team, he decided to go with a more secure route and sign with Serbian Club Partizan. The Queen City team clearly saw something that they liked in the 22-year old.

Landale wasn’t picked in the 2018 NBA Draft after playing four years of college ball at Saint Mary’s. Despite not being selected, he did work out for the Atlanta Hawks, the Hornets, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Sacramento Kings, and the Jazz prior to the draft.

Jock even played in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Hawks. He appeared in six games for Atlanta and averaged 3.8 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists while shooting 33% from the field.

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Landale had NBA opportunities but knew that the chances of him making a roster were slim. He chose the safer path and will now have a guaranteed roster spot, salary, and playing time overseas. It would’ve been a risky bet to sign with an NBA team and with Charlotte already having 14 players under contract and three centers (Willy Hernangomez/ Cody Zeller/ Bismack Biyombo), it’s unlikely that he would’ve made their regular season roster.

The 6’11 center was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year for the 2017-18 season. He was also named to the Consensus All-America Second Team, a Naismith Award Semifinalist, and a Wooden Award Finalist.

Jock had an incredible campaign for Saint Mary’s as he put up 21.1 points per game, 10.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks. Despite putting up those great numbers, it wasn’t enough for Landale to get drafted or receive a two-way contract from an NBA team.

In the end, he didn’t want to risk playing the G-League for a full season.

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The Australian basketball player will now look to prove himself in Europe. If he plays well enough, Jock may get a second chance in the NBA. Landale would’ve been an interesting addition to the Charlotte Hornets’ training camp squad. I think he may have been a good emergency big man option off of the bench had the team not already had three centers under contract.

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