Charles Lee recently participated in the NBA's annual Basketball Without Borders (BWB) program in Rwanda, Africa, where he got to work with and learn from former Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams.
The retired journeyman served as an assistant coach during a part of the program under Lee, who shared being impressed by the fact that he is now wearing the coach's hat after participating previously in BWB as a player. Lee also told Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer how Williams "brings a knowledge to the game that probably supersedes mine at that time."
Interestingly, this summer was not the first time the pair had spent time together, as Lee was a part of Mike Budenholzer's staff when Williams played for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2019-20 season.
Before that, the former No. 2 pick had suited up for the Hornets for five-and-a-half campaigns. He was a member of the 2015-16 squad that went 48-34, which is the franchise's highest winning percentage in a regular season since the turn of the millennium, and that took the third-seeded Miami Heat to seven games before losing in the first round of the playoffs.
Williams was a key piece for that team, starting at power forward, leading the club in average rebound and blocks while contributing 11.7 points per game, and delivering sound defense to help the Hornets achieve a top-10 finish on that end of the floor.
Hopefully, his experience in helping steer Charlotte to arguably its most successful campaign in the past two decades was able to inspire Lee as he attempts to transform the Hornets from a rebuilding squad to a contender. Or maybe Williams can help in some other way — again.
Another reunion with Marvin Williams could be possible for Hornets
Interestingly, Williams had already joined Charlotte's coaching staff once, signing up to help with player programs and development three years ago. It's unclear whether the University of North Carolina is interested in coaching anew in the NBA if he isn't already doing so.
However, if he proves to have the chops to take on such a job, maybe Charlotte should look into bringing him to the fold. Not only would it reunite him with former Hornets teammate Kemba Walker, who is currently the organization's player enhancement coach, but the move would also supply the team with someone with a wealth of experience playing in the league and for Buzz City.
The Hornets have brought in a couple of coaching reinforcements this summer, adding longtime NBA assistant coach Will Weaver as a coaching advisor a few weeks ago and former Villanova University head coach Kyle Neptune as an assistant.
So, maybe there isn't enough space for Williams anymore. At least Lee had already been able to soak up some knowledge from the retired hoopster.