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Emmanuel Perkins/Niner Times

The Charlotte Hornets have made their final selection in the 2026 NBA Draft. With their two picks, they selected University of Washington forward/center Hannes Steinbach and Texas Tech University guard Christian Anderson Jr.

 

Pick no. 14: Hannes Steinbach

With their lone lottery pick, Charlotte selected the 6-foot-11, German-born forward, Hannes Steinbach, who entered the draft after one collegiate season at Washington. Steinbach averaged 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists, converting on 57.7% from the field and 34.0% from behind the arc, which earned him All-Big Ten and All-Big Ten Freshman honors.

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Hannes Steinbach celebrates after being selected by the Charlotte Hornets as the 14th pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. 

 

AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

Steinbach’s rebounding and overall interior dominance immediately stood out as skills that could translate from college to the NBA.

 

Steinbach led Division I basketball in rebounds per game, grabbing 4.2 offensive and 7.6 defensive rebounds. His paint dominance extends to his scoring as well, with 71.2% of his shots coming in the restricted area. He also shows flashes as a floor spacer. Steinbach joins an intriguing group of bigs in Charlotte, Moussa Diabaté and 2025 NBA Draft selection Ryan Kalkbrenner, who are both strong rebounders.

 

If Steinbach can stretch the floor and impact the game as a rebounder, while not being a negative defender, he could operate alongside Charlotte’s other bigs. Without the swing skill of shooting, Steinbach will see more minutes as a small-ball five, opposed to double-big lineup minutes. However, the addition of Naz Reid in the Ball trade will give Steinbach time to develop a reliable jump shot without the immediate pressure to become a positive shooter.

 

Pick no. 18: Christian Anderson Jr.

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Christian Anderson, right, poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, after being selected by the Charlotte Hornets as the 18th pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. 

 

AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

 

The Hornets add another lights-out shooter to an already strong three-point shooting team. Anderson projects as a creator who pressures defenses to fight around screens, take away the three and keep Anderson in front of them.

 

Anderson improved as a three-point shooter from 38.0% to 41.5%, increasing his scoring from 10.6 points to 18.5 points from year one to year two at Texas Tech. Anderson’s shooting is his biggest draw, but he is also a solid finisher at the rim, converting on 65.8% of attempts. If Anderson can punish NBA defenses for overplaying the three by getting to the rim, his improved passing ability will fit right in with the Hornets’ three-point-heavy playstyle.

 

The avenue for Anderson’s immediate role is evident, but his size will be an issue. He is listed at 6-foot-1, and his slight frame at 180 lbs could hinder him from earning significant minutes. However, with Coby White returning to Charlotte and a need for more ball handlers due to the LaMelo Ball trade, Anderson’s skill set will be needed right away to fill the hole left by Ball’s exit. Given the current roster construction, if Anderson can quickly adjust to NBA physicality and impress with his shooting, his role could grow.