Sion James Shines in Rookie Season with Charlotte Hornets

In the aftermath of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets made strategic moves by selecting Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley in the first round. With back-to-back picks in the second round, they chose Sion James, a teammate of Knueppel at Duke. James, who played five seasons in college, entered the league as one of the more seasoned rookies, but he showcased a maturity that belied his age, especially on defense.

Demonstrating his readiness for the NBA, James was one of just 18 players to participate in all 82 games of the regular season. Throughout the season, he recorded an average of 5.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, two assists, and 0.6 steals per game. His contributions on the defensive end were particularly valuable to the Hornets, even though his shooting percentage of 37.1% left room for improvement.

Looking ahead, it appears that James will have a role in Charlotte's lineup. However, to secure more playing time, he will need to enhance his shooting efficiency. Overall, his performance in his rookie season has earned him a solid grade of B+.