Charlotte’s No. 14 pick isn’t wasting time making his case.
Hannes Steinbach, the 6-foot-10 German forward-center selected by the Hornets in the 2026 NBA Draft, turned in two dominant performances at the Las Vegas Summer League. On Wednesday, he dropped 27 points on 13-of-22 shooting and snagged 15 rebounds in 27 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks. Charlotte lost 110-91, but few in attendance were focused on the final score. Steinbach worked the high post, hammered the offensive glass and converted on the roll with a comfort level that outpaced his experience.
Two double-doubles in Las Vegas
He had already set the tone six days earlier, in Charlotte’s Summer League opener against the Orlando Magic on July 9. Steinbach finished with 15 points (4-of-7 from the floor, 4-of-4 from the line), 11 rebounds, two blocks and a steal in 22 minutes as Charlotte won 86-74. Two double-doubles in a week that belonged to him.
At the University of Washington this past season, he averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game on 57.7 percent shooting. He also shot 34 percent from three on limited attempts – a number worth monitoring as NBA-caliber defenses start closing out harder. His father, Burkhard Steinbach, played professionally in Germany for years, and that background shows in his footwork and awareness around the paint. You don’t coach timing like that at 20.
Why this matters for Charlotte
The Hornets are building. At 248 pounds, Steinbach is physically ready to contribute from day one. Charlotte’s frontcourt has needed a two-way big for a while – someone who doesn’t just take up space but finishes plays, blocks shots and makes smart decisions near the basket.
Steinbach checked all of those boxes in Las Vegas. Per NBA.com, he ranked among the standout performers of Summer League Day 8. Charlotte’s front office will be watching the remaining games closely.
His Summer League run is still ongoing. But on the strength of these two games alone, the conversation around Hannes Steinbach in Charlotte has shifted. He’s not just a pick anymore. He looks like a player.
