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Charlotte Hornets: Barber, Ulis, Zimmerman in the building

By John Woodcock

Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber (12) drives to the basket as Duke Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) and guard Matt Jones (13) defends in the second half during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Duke Blue Devils defeated North Carolina State Wolfpack 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber (12) drives to the basket as Duke Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) and guard Matt Jones (13) defends in the second half during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Duke Blue Devils defeated North Carolina State Wolfpack 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Charlotte Hornets host their second predraft workout today as they check out out two point guards and a big man among others.

The last time we left the Charlotte Hornets, they were exercising Diamond Stone in their first draft workout. Today they will be working out some more players to see what kind of interest they might have. While the big man from Maryland dominated the eye balls last time, this time there are folks to watch at center and point guard.

Point guard has two players who are rated around the end of the first round. One is Tyler Ulis, the Kentucky product. Ulis is a mighty mite, coming in at about 5’9”. His height is the big divisive thing about him. People are either really high on him or down him just because of that one fact alone. He seems pretty skilled and his supporters think him to be a lottery pick, but it is just as easy to find people who think he will fall into the second round of the draft.

The guy the Hornets will be putting him against will be NC State’s own Anthony Barber. Barber does not have the height problems that Ulis does, but he has also seen his draft stock hover around the first/second round boundary. That is an important distinction. First round picks get guaranteed money while second rounders don’t.

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Barber played just about every minute of every game at NC State last season. He averaged almost 24 points per game with a 36% three point percentage from the college three point line. He was the engine for State’s offense but some teams may be concerned of shoot first tendencies. Barber averaged four and a half assists per game despite playing nearly all the minutes.

Both of these guys should be viewed as insurance against the departure of Jeremy Lin. Lin did opt out of his contract and is now a free agent. Having a good number two point guard has been important for the Hornets over the last two seasons.

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If you are looking at big men then there is a big one coming. Stephen Zimmerman Jr.from UNLV will be working out today. Zimmerman is a guy with the potential to be a shot blocker. In the original mock draft, I had the Hornets drafting Zimmerman. With all that has gone on, that Mock Draft needs to be updated. Look out for one this weekend.

The other players working out are:

Nathan Boothe (Toledo)

Jake Layman (Maryland)

Isaiah Miles (St. Joseph’s)

Next: NBA to Act Sooner Rather Than Later

Draft day is more than two weeks away.

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