While the Charlotte Hornets are preparing to embark on their 2022-23 season, it is never too early to look forward. The 2023 NBA draft promises to be an exciting one, full of the types of high-ceiling prospects that teams build around. Beyond the projected number one selection in Victor Wembanyama, there are several other players who could turn out to be franchise cornerstones.
Who could the Charlotte Hornets get in the 2023 NBA draft?
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report unveiled his latest 2023 NBA mock draft on Monday morning, and he has the Charlotte Hornets selecting an exciting prospect with the ninth overall selection. Wasserman projects the Hornets to draft GG Jackson, a 6’9″ forward from the University of South Carolina.
The sixth-highest rated prospect and the highest-rated power forward in the class of 2022, Jackson originally committed to the North Carolina Tar Heels but decommitted and joined his hometown South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia, South Carolina.
The 2021-22 Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year in South Carolina, Jackson posted averages of 22.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game for the Ridge View High School Blazers. Jackson helped lead the Blazers to the South Carolina 5A State Championship as they defeated the Fort Dorchester High School Patriots by a score of 65-57 in the title game.
Jackson has obvious upside due to his frame, athleticism, and motor. His ceiling at the next level will be defined by his ability to create his own offense and his ability to consistently make shots from the perimeter, skills that Jackson will look to hone throughout a challenging SEC schedule this year with South Carolina.
Jackson fits the profile of the modern NBA as a forward who can play on the perimeter and interior on both offense and defense. Wasserman’s NBA comparison for Jackson is Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, who is known throughout the league as one of the more versatile players in today’s NBA.
Does GG Jackson make sense for the Charlotte Hornets? Do the Charlotte Hornets make sense for GG Jackson?
With Miles Bridges facing continued legal uncertainty and with P.J. Washington on the final year of his contract, the Hornets may be looking to add reinforcements to their frontcourt. Adding Jackson would give the Hornets a high-upside frontcourt prospect to pair with LaMelo Ball and would give Jackson the chance to play just 90 minutes away from his hometown.