In preparation for the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22, the Charlotte Hornets hosted a pre-draft workout on Friday, May 5 featuring the following players:
Emoni Bates (F, Eastern Michigan)
This 19-year-old has two years of collegiate experience, most recently averaging 19.2 points on 40.5% shooting – 33.0% from 3-point range – 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 30 games (29 starts) this past season. Bates (6-9, 190), who spent his freshman season at Memphis, was the 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year and ESPN’s #3 high school prospect in 2021.
Meechie Johnson Jr. (G, South Carolina)
Johnson (6-2, 172) transferred to South Carolina for the start of his junior season and went on to average 12.6 points on 36.1% shooting, 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 30 appearances (29 starts). The Cleveland native played his first two seasons at nearby Ohio State University, where he was a member of two NCAA Tournament teams.
Jaylen Martin (G, Overtime Elite)
Originally from Tallahassee, FL, Martin (6-6, 216) averaged 14.0 points on 37.6% shooting, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 14 regular season appearances for Overtime Elite’s YNG Dreamerz this season. Over six playoff games, the runner-up for Overtime Elite’s 2023 Most Improved Player Award posted marks of 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals.
Landers Nolley II (G, Cincinnati)
Nolley (6-7, 220) finished his collegiate career with averages of 16.8 points on 44.7% shooting – 41.7% from 3-point range – 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 36 starts this past season. Prior to joining the Bearcats, he spent two seasons each at Virginia Tech (redshirted the 2018-19 campaign) and Memphis, where he played with Emoni Bates in 2021-22.
Jalen Slawson (F, Furman)
A native of Summerville, SC, Slawson (6-7, 210) averaged 15.6 points on 55.6% shooting – 39.4% from 3-point range – 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in 36 games this past season. The 2023 Southern Conference Player of the Year also helped lead #13-seeded Furman to its first NCAA Tournament win since 1974 with an upset over #4-seeded Virginia in March.
Trey Wertz (G, Notre Dame)
Wertz (6-5, 195) tallied 8.4 points on 36.6% shooting, 2.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 32 appearances (22 starts) this past season as a senior at Notre Dame. A Charlotte native who attended Providence Day School, Wertz played his first three years at Santa Clara University before transferring to Notre Dame for the start of the 2021-22 campaign.