What Vernon Carey brings to the table for the Charlotte Hornets

With the Charlotte Hornets early second-round pick in this year’s NBA Draft, the organization picked up Vernon Carey, let’s analyze what he can contribute to Charlotte.

Vernon Carey Jr. was a solid pickup for the Charlotte Hornets organization in this year’s NBA Draft. Carey Jr. joins the organization as one of three players to be picked up by Swarm City, and his talents are definitely needed. The Blue Devils alum can be the answer for a young center to add to the ever-improving Hornets young core.

Carey’s stats were very impressive in his freshman season, where he averaged over 18 points and eight boards per game. Carey is a strong getting it off the glass, where he ranked within the top seven in the ACC for offensive(7th) and defensive(3rd) rebounds. Carey is efficient from the field, as he shot 54 percent from the court last season. Carey ranked in the top-20 in the NBA for field goal percentage, while leading the Atlantic Coast Conference from the field. Carey also led the conference in free throws, where he drew a lot of fouls within the paint in his freshman season.

Carey’s accolades are not anything to look past either, with an incredibly impressive resume of accomplishments. Carey made the All-ACC first team, and in a competitive conference like the ACC, this accomplishment should not be overlooked. Carey earned the United States Basketball Writers Association-Freshman of the Year Award. Carey was also in contention to win the Wooden Award, which is given to the best college basketball player in the nation.

Carey has a style of play that is described as “old fashioned” where he is hesitant to take perimeter shots and prefers to use his agility in the post. His “go-to” moves tend to be left-handed hook shots and fadeaway jumpers, which he converts on often.  Carey is also an extremely energetic player with a polished ability to box-out and search for boards, and with the Charlotte Hornets being one of the worst teams in the league in rebounding, his addition will be beneficial. Carey is a solid alley-oop recipient who can finish through contact and create contact within the hole.

With the Charlotte Hornets shopping Cody Zeller going into this free agency, the team is desperately looking for a better big man to put the team into playoff contention, in a strong Eastern Conference. Carey will likely need a few months to develop his skills further, including improving his percentage at the charity stripe, but has the potential to become a starter in Queen City. Carey can be a great screen setter and be on the receiving end of some highlight alley-oops from LaMelo Ball this season.

Carey was a great pickup for the Hornets and their talented young core.