Charlotte Hornets sign Leaky Black to two-way contract
After some tremendous memories made at the University of North Carolina, former Tar Heels forward Leaky Black is on to the NBA. He failed to get picked in the 2023 draft, but in the hours afterward, he landed with the local Charlotte Hornets on a two-way deal, according to Inside Carolina. Here was their report of the Black signing by Charlotte:
“The stretchy North Carolina wing forward, who has earned the reputation as an elite and versatile defender, has agreed to a two-way deal with the Charlotte Hornets, a source told Inside Carolina, after not being selected Thursday night across the two rounds and 58 total picks that comprised the 2023 NBA Draft in New York.”
Black made his name on the defensive side of the ball in college, but his all-around game is what drew the Hornets to him. Leaky spent five long seasons in Chapel Hill and worked hard to make himself into an NBA prospect. His best season offensively came over the 2022-2023 season, as Black averaged 7.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, although North Carolina fell short of their ultimate goal.
Black played a pivotal role on a Tar Heels squad that came inches between winning a national title, making an amazing run through the 2022 NCAA Tournament and ending as the runner-up. However, there was some silver lining to it, as Black’s Tar Heels ended the career of Mike Krzyzewski, defeating their arch rival in the Duke Blue Devils in the Final Four.
Throughout the 2023 NBA Draft process, it’s evident many teams were interested in Black’s services on the court. The Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors were among the teams that opted to work him out, some perennial playoff teams believing the former Tar Heels star could make an immediate impact on their roster.
While Black hasn’t received the same adulation from fans and NBA media members as some of his teammates, it’s obvious those in the know believe in his abilities. The former Tar Heels star will now get to showcase that to the world moving forward.
From his time in Chapel Hill to whatever he does at the NBA level, it’s evident that Leaky Black will put in the work, and improve year by year as he gets going as a professional. The risk is worth the reward for the former Tar Heels star.
Leaky Black is a former four-star recruit out of Cox Mill (NC) who was the No. 64 overall recruit in the nation during the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.