The Charlotte Hornets closed the 2026 Summer League with a 1-4 record after opening the tournament with a double-digit victory over the Orlando Magic. The early win was the lone bright spot for a squad that fell short in its final four games, a stark contrast to the championship run the Hornets enjoyed just a year earlier. With the team’s overall performance under scrutiny, the spotlight turned to the two first-round picks that entered the league in 2026 , 14th-overall big man Hannes Steinbach and 18th-overall wing Christian Anderson.
Steinbach’s numbers in the last two outings were eye-catching. He averaged 24.5 points, 13 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a steal per game while shooting 62.5 % from the floor. Over the full week of competition his field-goal percentage settled at 60.4 %, and he produced 3.4 offensive rebounds per night, highlighted by a seven-offensive-board effort in his fourth contest. Those figures suggest a player who can generate second-chance points and finish efficiently against professional-level competition.
Beyond the raw statistics, Steinbach’s impact was felt on the glass and around the rim. He captured 3.4 offensive rebounds per game, indicating a strong instinct for positioning and a willingness to battle inside. His rim-pressure rating placed him in the 52nd percentile among NBA players at his position during his final college season, signaling a noticeable improvement in his defensive timing and shot-contesting ability. For a team seeking a modern interior anchor, Steinbach’s blend of rebounding and rim protection aligns well with Charlotte’s desire for a reliable backup big man who can also stretch the floor when needed.
Anderson’s performance, while described as “well-played,” lacked a detailed statistical line in the available data. Nonetheless, his presence on the wing offered the Hornets a glimpse of the perimeter versatility they have missed in recent seasons. As a stretch-four candidate, Anderson can create spacing for the team’s guard-heavy attack, and his defensive assignments suggest the potential to guard multiple positions. Even without concrete numbers, his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor adds depth to a roster that is still shaping its identity.
The rookie showings arrive as the Hornets prepare for training camp in late September. Both players will compete for roster spots ahead of the preseason, where Steinbach must translate his offensive rebounding dominance into consistent defensive rotations, and Anderson will need to prove his capacity to defend multiple positions while spacing the floor. Their progress over the next two months will determine whether they secure guaranteed contracts or begin their careers on two-way deals.
If Steinbach can maintain his aggressive approach and Anderson solidifies his role as a reliable wing, the 2026 rookie class could become a foundational piece of a Hornets roster that aims to return to playoff contention within the next three years.
