Latest news with #CharlotteHornets
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
LaMelo Ball's tattoo artist breaks silence after ‘Hot Chee Toes' tattoo goes viral
LaMelo Ball became the centre of online chatter after images surfaced suggesting the Charlotte Hornets star had tattooed 'Hot Chee Toes' across his foot. The fiery, Cheetos-themed design sparked both humour and disbelief, with fans flooding social media with reactions. However, Ball's tattoo artist Elvis Ramos has now confirmed that the tattoo was not real. Speaking in an Instagram video, Ramos explained the origin of the viral image and clarified that the foot in question did not belong to Ball. 'We tattooed LaMelo Ball. But those 'Hot Chee Toes'—those were not on Melo. We were just trolling,' Ramos said. 'The original artist is actually from California as well, but no, we didn't do that on Melo.' The prank had fooled thousands online, with some fans criticising Ball's supposed decision and others applauding the bold move. Reactions ranged from 'This can't be real' to 'Bro didn't break ankles, he toasted them.' Ramos added, 'We did do a leg sleeve on Melo, and we'll be posting that soon. But yeah, we were just trolling, man. The internet is crazy, bro.' Despite the joke, Ball remains known for his distinctive tattoo choices. His previous back piece took 18 hours and six artists to complete and reads 'Rare One,' reflecting his confident persona on and off the court. The Hornets, who struggled last season without Ball following a season-ending injury, are hopeful for a turnaround. Ball averaged 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists before his absence.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Rising NBA star Antonio Reeves hosts youth basketball camp in Chicago
An up-and-coming NBA basketball player gave back to his hometown of Chicago on Sunday. Antonio Reeves, who recently signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets, hosted his inaugural youth basketball camp in Jackson Park on the city's South Side. The former Simeon Career Academy student helped lead a group of kids through a series of drills and scrimmages, with an assist from former U.S. Education secretary and Chicago Public Schools chief executive officer Arne Duncan. Reeves said it was all about having fun. "Basically just come out and have fun, to be honest, you know, just give back to the community is my main thing," he said. The New Orleans Pelicans picked Reeves in the NBA Draft in 2024. He was the 47th overall pick out of the University of Kentucky. Reeves played three seasons with Kentucky after two with Illinois State. The Pelicans waived Reeves earlier this month, and the Hornets signed him on Wednesday.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Kon Knueppel's Endearing Self Assessment Emphasizes What The Hornets Already Knew
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 20: Kon Knueppel was named the Summer League championship game MVP as ... More Charlotte Hornets team wins the championship game of NBA 2K26 Summer League against Sacramento Kings at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on July 20, 2025. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) Kon Knueppel was a Summer League standout. The Charlotte Hornets made him the fourth overall pick in this year's NBA Draft. The former Duke Blue Devil immediately showcased why the franchise should feel great about that decision. Knueppel helped lead the Hornets to a championship in Las Vegas. In the process, he earned a spot on the All-Summer League Second Team. The six-foot-seven forward averaged 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals. While Sin City statistics are the least important part of what a player demonstrates at Summer League, those numbers reflect Knueppel's all-around impact. However, even on the heels of a championship, he was hard on himself while giving Forbes his assessment of how his game grew in Las Vegas. "First game was rough, didn't play well," conveyed Knueppel. "But it's the NBA now, you have so many games, and I think [having] the next game, forget about what happened last game [mentality]. Even tonight, I didn't play very well. I didn't shoot it great at all, really, I had some bad turnovers, bad defensive plays, just next play, next play." That attitude will endear him to his new teammates, coaching staff, and people throughout the Hornets' organization. It captured an individual who has no interest in becoming content or complacent. Instead, a growth mindset fuels his drive to maximize his potential. The Hornets's message to Kon Knueppel Another sign of Knueppel's competitive character came in Charlotte's 109-80 Semifinal win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He dove to the floor in pursuit of a loose ball. As he got a hand on it, the Wisconsin native crashed into Thunder guard Jazian Gortman's legs. That resulted in the latter inadvertently driving Knueppel's head into the hardwood. That resulted in five stitches to treat the cut above his eye. However, there was no way he was going to miss the Summer League Finals. "We had to fight a lot of people to get me on the floor today," voiced Knueppel after the Hornets captured the organization's first championship of any kind. "It wasn't necessarily from within the organization. It was a no-brainer for me. I just wanted to get out there and help the guys and get this done." While on the ESPN broadcast of Charlotte's title win, an 83-78 victory vs. the Sacramento Kings, head coach Charles Lee said of the situation, "My man's out here playing right now with stitches on the side of his eye, like come on. Just a warrior out there, which I absolutely love about him. And there was no way we were going to be able to keep him out of this game today." Knueppel's bench boss also spoke enthusiastically about the well-rounded nature of what Knueppel showcased in Las Vegas. "Always just trying to impact winning," said Lee. "I think that everyone sees what he can bring with the shooting, but I think he's an overall, really just solid competitor. Defensively, he's made a couple [of] great stops, I think so far here, and he communicates at a really high level. "And then, on top of shooting the ball, he's made the right pass play when he needs to. Defense collapse, he's throwing lobs, if he has to play off of two feet, he has some great footwork after the dribble as well." Knueppel told Forbes he appreciated his head coach returning to support their pursuit of a Summer League championship. He also shared the messaging he has received from Lee and the Hornets' coaching staff. "Charles came back tonight to watch us, which was pretty cool," said Knueppel. "They're watching for the right basketball plays, making the right reads; it's not necessarily about statistics or anything. But making the right plays, both sides of the floor, being in good positioning, those are the things that are important." To the delight of Lee and Charlotte's coaching staff, Knueppel displayed a good feel for the game and a high competitive character that fits perfectly with the culture they're working to establish in the Queen City. While he did so, he demonstrated the dynamic nature of his play, something that deserves more recognition than it receives. What the Hornets saw from Kon Knueppel at Summer League wasn't a revelation to them; it was the reinforcement of why they drafted him. It was the first step in validating that he will become a core member of their build toward a brighter future.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Collin Sexton breaks silence after trade to Hornets
The post Collin Sexton breaks silence after trade to Hornets appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Charlotte Hornets scored big when they acquired Collin Sexton from the Utah Jazz. Even without securing the talents of Chris Paul, the Hornets aren't complaining. Consequently, Sexton is ecstatic about this new opportunity and has expressed as much, according to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer. 'Super grateful for the opportunity. Ready to come in and help build the culture and be a leader right away,' Sexton said. 'I feel like the last couple of weeks practicing and stuff, it's been a lot of fun but also getting used to the guys.' Last year, Sexton finished his third season with the Jazz. Altogether, he averaged 18.4 points and 4.2 assists per game. Sexton is entering a team full of young talent, including Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and LaMelo Ball. He is in attendance in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League and emphasized the importance of supporting the newcomers. 'That is something that we've talked about,' he said. 'We want as many guys here to support the younger guys. As you can see, we've had an excellent turnout.' Additionally, Sexton discussed creating a family atmosphere with the Hornets. 'Whether it's on the court, off the court, whether you have questions about basketball, about life, we all are here, and it's a brotherhood,' Sexton said. 'We've got to pick up one another, and when someone is down, be there to encourage them when they need it.' In addition to leadership, Sexton is a stellar scorer and playmaker. He can drive to the basket and can finish consistently. Furthermore, Sexton can get the best out of his players with added assist totals this past year. Meanwhile, the Hornets are coming off a 19-63 season. They aim to ignite a spark for this band of young guns. Sexton is expected to deliver in that realm. Related: Hornets' Kon Knueppel exits Summer League game with head injury Related: Charlotte Hornets 2025 NBA free agency grades for every signing
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Biggest Charlotte Hornets overreactions from 2025 NBA Summer League
The post Biggest Charlotte Hornets overreactions from 2025 NBA Summer League appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Charlotte Hornets are off to a perfect start at the 2025 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, going 3-0 with gritty wins over the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, and Dallas Mavericks. While the Summer League isn't always predictive of NBA success, it does offer a sneak peek at what might be – and fans have already started crafting their overreactions accordingly. Heading into the 2025 NBA offseason, the Charlotte Hornets had a clear objective – surround their young core with enough talent and stability to finally crawl out of the Eastern Conference basement. The Hornets selected four rookies in the 2025 NBA Draft, and all of them got their first opportunity to prove themselves during their summer league debuts. From KJ Simpson's burst scoring to Tidjane Salaun's all-around flashes, to Ryan Kalkbrenner's defensive dominance, the Hornets' 2025 rookie class has turned heads. But before we crown the next All-Rookie team, let's break down the early performances, followed by some good old-fashioned overreactions. KJ Simpson is the Hornets' future starting point guard Stats: 19 pts vs PHI, 21 pts vs UTH, 18 pts + 7 ast vs DAL He's been electric, averaging 19 points and five-plus assists per game while controlling pace and showing poise in late-game moments. Could he overtake Tre Mann or Vasilije Micić for backup duties this season? Don't be shocked if he plays real minutes by December. Tidjane Salaun will be a 2-way problem right away Stats: 16 pts vs PHI, 20 pts vs UTH, 6 pts vs DAL He's looking like a future star. His physicality, switchability, and shot mechanics have all popped. His stats don't jump off the page yet, but if you watched the games, his instincts scream 'future starter.' Overreaction? Maybe. But he looks like a mini-Pascal Siakam in motion. Ryan Kalkbrenner is the Hornets' defensive anchor Stats: 7 pts vs PHI (Game-saving block at the buzzer), 10 pts vs UTH, 9 pts vs DAL He's turning 'potential' into tangible defensive moments. Hornets might stash him as interior insurance all season. He's already had two games with multiple blocks and a game-winning swat. Kalkbrenner may not be flashy, but his positional awareness and shot deterrence are NBA-ready. Could he steal backup center minutes? Charlotte might already be debating it internally. Liam McNeeley is the most NBA-ready rookie on the roster Stats: 14 pts vs PHI, 22 pts vs UTH McNeeley has vaulted from rookie sleeper to instant impact, and could lead to real bench minutes right out of the gate. Efficient from deep, confident off the dribble, and calm in big moments — McNeeley has looked like a polished pro. He might not have the highest ceiling, but if Charlotte needs a floor-spacing wing off the bench, he's got the best case among the rookies. 'Yeah, it's been a while since I played my last game,' McNeeley said. 'The last game didn't go the way I wanted it to. Basketball is my favorite thing to do, so this was a blast.' Sion James is Herb Jones-lite Stats: 3 pts vs PHI, 8 pts vs UTH Viewed as defense-first glue, but these rotations show Charlotte's bench identity evolving – he'll need to prove he can swing games, too. The defense is real. The hustle is real. And the confidence is growing. Sion James might not crack the Hornets' rotation this season, but in a vacuum, he's looked like someone every playoff team would love to stash on the bench. It's early, but the vibes are elite. Kon Knueppel could be the best shooter on the roster Stats: 5 pts vs UTH, 16 pts vs DAL One double-double and he's now a rookie must-watch. If that's his floor, he might cement a rotation spot. He's hit multiple threes in all three games and looks automatic in rhythm. If Charlotte needs a sniper off the bench, Knueppel could become their go-to floor spacer. Final thoughts: Real optimism or summer mirage? Yes, it's Summer League. Yes, we've seen multiple players dominate in July before vanishing in October. But the Hornets have real cause for optimism, these aren't just raw athletes; they're smart, skilled, and role-ready prospects. If these games were any indication, the Hornets' rookie class is stealing headlines: KJ is orchestrating, McNeeley is dominant off the bench, Knueppel is rebounding and shooting, and Kalkbrenner is blocking buzzer-beaters. It's hype heaven, but remember, this is July, not December. Still… Charlotte's young core is giving us just enough reasons to dream. With the coaching staff experimenting with various combinations, the chemistry already forming between Simpson, Salaun, and McNeeley bodes well. The Summer League crown doesn't mean much, but for the Hornets, one of the NBA's youngest teams, it's about building belief. So far, mission accomplished. Related: Hornets add forward with Charles Lee ties on 2-way contract Related: LaMelo Ball gets major advice from Baron Davis
