Potential Future Hornets to Watch in March Madness

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Hoop heads across the country (and globe, we see you James) will pour over brackets, matchups, and televisions starting at noon Eastern on Thursday when the NCAA Tournament tips off. For Hornets' fans without a rooting interest in the Big Dance, now is the time to look at the college game with an eye on the NBA Draft.

The top of the 2024 NBA Draft is loaded with international prospects who won't be competing in the NCAA Tournament this March. With Charlotte beelining for a top five pick, there aren't a ton of prospects to watch in the tournament. However, there are four projected lottery picks that Hornets fans can scout over the coming days. The first plays tonight (Wednesday) in the second play-in game in Dayton.

Cody Williams - Wing - Colorado

Williams is a smooth, long, and versatile wing that would fit like a glove with the current Charlotte core. The brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, Cody shares some similarities with his older sibling.

It starts with his jumper. Cody Williams was an inconsistent shooter in high school and EYBL, but has seen a percentage increase in college. In his freshman season at Colorado, Williams shot 42% on just under two attempts per game. His brother Jalen was a late-bloomer on the perimeter as well. The older Williams brother never shot 40% in college, but his volume of attempts was double Cody's number. This season, Jalen Williams is shooting 45% for the Thunder on 3.5 attempts per game. 

Like most raw prospects, Williams' ceiling will be based on the improvement in his jump shot. He lacks elite athleticism on the wing, but his fluidity jumps off the screen. He can attack the rim with either hand and his solid passing skills make him an immediate connective piece on any NBA offense. A strong tournament run by Williams and the Buffaloes will shoot him up draft boards and into Charlotte's projected pick range.

Reed Sheppard - Guard - Kentucky

When it comes to shooting, Sheppard is the antithesis of Williams. The Wildcat guard is shooting a blistering 52% on three-pointers on 4.4 attempts per game. His elite shooting ability and pestering defense make him an intriguing NBA prospect despite his size.

Sheppard is a dogged defender with a nose for the ball. His effort levels are consistent every minute he spend on the floor and will be in the shorts of his matchup for 30 plus minutes a night. Two weaknesses limit Sheppard's ceiling as a lead ball handler in the NBA.

Sheppard lacks juice off the bounce. While his shooting ability opens up options for him, his inability to self-create limits the impact he can have on the offensive end. He's a solid passer and a great connective piece like Williams, but rarely will Sheppard be able to create his own shot. He'd slot nicely next to LaMelo Ball in the backcourt as a secondary creator and movement shooter, but the second weakness, his size, will leave Charlotte's coaching staff pulling their hair out.

His Energizer Bunny-like effort on the defensive end is admirable, but Sheppard's lack of height will always make him a target for opposing offenses. He will be overpowered by larger guards in the NBA and be attacked on switches from day one. 

Rob Dillingham - Guard - Kentucky

Dillingham is the most electric player in college basketball. Bar none.

I am addicted to watching the Kentucky sixth man. Dillingham combines a smooth handle and a relentless desire to get bucks with a smooth jumper into a package that is rarely seen in college basketball. He's an elite offense to himself and one of the few players in the country that deserve a "Dillingham is heating up, put on ESPN" text.

If you need an NBA comparison, think Malik Monk minus a couple of inches. A fire-breathing three-point shooter with a fluid handle that can attack the rim at will. Dillingham can't touch Monk's athleticism and his finishing ability will be questioned in the pre-draft process, but he's a blast to watch.

Like Sheppard though, Dillingham's size is a major question mark. He was measured at 6'1" and is skinny like former Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford. His slight frame doesn't seem like one that can bulk up, and if he can't, that will be an issue.

Dillingham projects as a spark plug off the bench who can create offense for himself and teammates. Even in a weak draft that's a tough sell for a top end lottery pick, but I am intoxicated by his scoring potential and a Ball/Dillingham back court will be a fireworks show on the offensive end. And, honestly, on the defensive end as well. But for opposite reasons. 

Stephon Castle - Guard - UConn

Castle is a supersized guard that would be a perfect fit with the Hornets' current core. He stands at 6'7", defends multiple positions, and doesn't need the ball to thrive on offense. 

The Husky guard will make his money as a hard-nosed defender, strong rebounder, and secondary ball handler that thrives getting his teammate involved. He will pair well as a pick-and-roll handler dishing to Mark Williams on the roll or Brandon Miller spotted up in the corner. 

His offensive game is still a work in progress, but his control of tempo is advanced for his young age. His shooting is a question mark, like many prospects, and is the swing skill that determines his ceiling. Charlotte drafting Castle and slotting him into the starting lineup would give the Hornets five starters standing 6'7" or taller (presuming they re-sign Miles Bridges). The combination of size, creation, and defense among those five starters creates an enticing ceiling that the Queen City hasn't seen since the 90's.