Charlotte Hornets NBA Draft: Could Rui Hachimura be a good fit?

If the Charlotte Hornets are looking for an efficient scorer, then they should take the Junior out of Gonzaga, Rui Hachimura; he is their guy to take in the lottery.

The Charlotte Hornets are expected to land with the 12th pick in this year’s draft. There is a lot of talent just waiting to be taken in this year’s draft, and it would be hard for the Hornets to make a bad choice.

If the Hornets are looking for another hybrid player like Marvin Williams, then they need to go ahead and draft Rui Hachimura if he’s still available. Hachimura spent three seasons at Gonzaga, and he improved every season that he was there.

About Rui Hachimura

Height: 6’8”

Weight: 230 pounds

Wingspan: 7’2″

2018-19 stats: 19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 59% FG, 30.2 minutes

Strengths

• Great size and length for a prospect
• Posses enough strength to play the four spot
• Great at rebounding the basketball
• Finishes well at the rim
• Excels in fast break opportunities on offense
• Can become a good defender
• Is efficient from the free throw line

Weaknesses

• Does not possess a great two-point jump shot
• Did not have a lot of consistent games
• Lacks perimeter shooting
• Must limit turnovers

Hachimura had the best college season of his career following last season. It was hard to see where he would end up at the beginning of the season, but Hachimura proved that he could be taken in the lottery.

After spending three years in college, he is almost a veteran when it comes to being drafted into the NBA. After his best college season, it’s no secret that he knows how to generate points on offense.

Hachimura has great size and length for someone who is coming out of college; he already looks a lot like an NBA player. While his wingspan is only one inch shy of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s, he is still really good at finishing at the rim.

Hachimura finished one game last season with thirty-three points; this would be his season high and in points scored in a game, as well as his career high. He would also finish the season with four double-doubles.

When I saw him play at Gonzaga, I could see why his team’s fans would get so excited. Hachimura played a significant role in the successful season that they had last season. His scoring on the fast break is what really electrified the crowd.

While I am concerned about his lack of perimeter shooting and shooting from inside the arc, I still feel that he can be an offensive threat in the NBA. His shot can improve, but I know that his inside game could explode if he has the right coaches.

Hachimura is only 6’8”, and this allows him to play a similar hybrid role, such as Williams’ has for Charlotte. His size and athleticism would allow him to play both the small forward and power forward positions.

If the Hornets are in need of a secret weapon when it comes time to selecting a player in two months, then Hachimura could be the guy they go with. I could understand if they choose someone who knows how to win and can score efficiently like him.

I like Hachimura because of his size and length, and I feel like he could be a sleeper in this draft. It will be interesting to see who Mitch Kupchak decides to go with, in his second draft with the Charlotte Hornets.