TITLE: Hornets Take Washington’s Hannes Steinbach at No. 14 in 2026 NBA Draft
SLUG: hornets-select-hannes-steinbach-14th-overall
CONTENT:
Brooklyn, N.Y. — The Charlotte Hornets used the 14th overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft on Washington center Hannes Steinbach, making the 20-year-old German the final selection of this year’s lottery.
Steinbach, who spent the 2024/25 season with Würzburg in Germany before joining the Huskies for 2025/26, earned a spot on the All-Big Ten third team as a freshman. The 6-11 big man led the nation with 11.8 rebounds per game, including 4.2 on the offensive glass, while averaging 18.5 points, 1.6 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals in 34.6 minutes.
He connected on 34.0% of his three-point attempts (18-for-53), and scouting reports describe his jump shot as a developing part of his game. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, Steinbach is not viewed as a traditional rim protector or a highly switchable defender, but his elite rebounding and efficient scoring around the basket are expected to translate to the NBA, especially if his perimeter shooting continues to improve.
The Hornets will now look to integrate Steinbach’s interior presence into a young roster as they continue to build for the future.
Source: Hoops Rumors
