Hornets Draft Rebounding Phenom
Hornets Draft Hannes Steinbach 14th Overall, Adding NCAA's Top Rebounder with Immediate Impact Potential
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Key Points
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Steinbach became the NCAA's rebound leader as a freshman (11.8 RPG) and racked up 22 double-doubles, making him the first freshman to lead the nation in rebounds since Michael Beasley in 2008.
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ESPN's Jay Bilas labeled Steinbach as the draft's best rebounder, underscoring his advanced instincts around the rim.
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Steinbach's path includes professional experience in Würzburg, Germany, followed by a standout single season at Washington; internationally, he helped Germany win its first U18 EuroBasket title in 2024 and starred at the U19 World Cup with strong scoring and rebounding averages.
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Washington coach Danny Sprinkle raved about Steinbach's character and work ethic, calling him an elite rebounder with exceptional instincts and noting he'd be a tremendous pro.
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Despite a high upside, Charlotte is expected to give Steinbach meaningful minutes off the bench initially, rather than slotting him into a starting role right away as he adapts to the NBA.
The Charlotte Hornets selected German big man Hannes Steinbach with the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 24, making him the highest-drafted Washington Husky in years. Fox Carolina reported the 6-foot-11 forward averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game in his lone college season — good enough to lead all of Division I basketball in rebounding.
Steinbach's rise is historic. He became the first freshman to lead the NCAA in rebounds since Michael Beasley in 2008, recording 22 double-doubles along the way, according to Lancaster Online. Charlotte is betting on his two-way versatility and professional maturity to shore up a frontcourt that struggled for depth all season.
NCAA Rebounding King With a Pro Pedigree
Steinbach did not arrive in college as a raw teenager. He spent the 2024–25 season playing professionally for Würzburg Baskets in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga before signing with Washington. That pro experience showed. He shot 57.7% from the field and 34% from three, earning Third Team All-Big Ten honors in his only college season.
Washington coach Danny Sprinkle praised Steinbach as more than just a stat-stuffer. "He's the first freshman to lead the NCAA in rebounding since Michael Beasley," Sprinkle said. "You don't teach that; it's a gift. He's going to be a tremendous pro," he added, according to The Athletic.
ESPN's Bilas Calls Him the Draft's Best Rebounder
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas did not hold back in his praise. "He is the best rebounder in this draft, period," Bilas said during ESPN's draft coverage. "His second-jump ability and hands are elite. He changes the geometry of the floor because you have to account for him on every miss."
Bilas's endorsement carries weight in draft circles. Steinbach's 34% three-point shooting also raises the possibility of a "pick-and-pop" role alongside LaMelo Ball, according to The Ringer. That stretch-big potential makes him harder to ignore, even for skeptics who see him as a traditional center.
Charlotte Fills a Real Roster Hole at the Rim
The Hornets entered draft night with a clear problem. Injuries and thin backup options behind Mark Williams left Charlotte short on frontcourt depth all 2025–26 season, according to Charlotte Observer. Steinbach addresses that directly. At 6'11" with elite rebounding instincts and growing offensive range, he fits the bill as a high-floor backup who could push for a starting role.
Hornets president Jeff Peterson called Steinbach's "professionalism and international pedigree" the deciding factor at 14. As the 14th pick, Steinbach will sign a four-year rookie scale deal worth roughly $18.5 million, with the first two years fully guaranteed, per Spotrac.
International Star With One Key Question Mark
Steinbach also helped Germany win its first-ever FIBA U18 EuroBasket title in 2024, adding another layer of big-game experience. He follows Franz and Moritz Wagner as part of a "German Golden Age" pipeline that has reshaped how NBA teams view European prospects, according to Fox Carolina.
The one concern scouts flag: can he guard quicker guards on switches? His "drop" coverage against fast Big Ten guards drew mixed reviews. Some analysts at Bleacher Report argued Charlotte "reached" for a traditional big when explosive wings were still available. Still, 11.8 rebounds per game tends to quiet most critics fast.
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