Ray Parks embarks on ‘new chapter’ with Osaka Evessa


FILE–Filipino import Ray Parks during a B.League game.–Photo from Nagoya Dolphins

MANILA, Philippines—Bobby Ray Parks Jr. has joined Osaka Evessa during the Japan B.League offseason frenzy.

Evessa revealed on Wednesday that Parks Jr. signed with Evessa weeks after the Filipino import left his previous team Nagoya.

Parks expressed excitement for the new chapter in his B.League career as he inks a new deal with Osaka.

READ: Ray Parks, Nagoya reach B.League semis, Kiefer’s Shiga back in B1

“Looking forward to this new chapter. [I’m] excited to represent the city of Osaka, the fans, and the organization. Come out and support us with all of your hearts,” said the former TNT swingman, who was earlier reported to be negotiating an extension with the Diamond Dolphins.

In his three-year stretch with Nagoya, they never missed the B.League Playoffs. They got bounced out of the semifinals last season.

The 31-year-old baller out of National University averaged 8.74 points, 3.66 rebounds and 2.12 assists per game for the Diamond Dolphins in his last go-around for Nagoya.

Parks Jr. will now bolster an Evessa squad that finished with 25-35 card last season.



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Carlo Bumina-ang battles Asa Ten Pow in ONE official debut


FILE–Carlo Bumina-ang.–Photo from ONE Championship

MANILA, Philippines—Carlo Bumina-ang’s first challenge as an official member of ONE Championship has arrived in the form of Asa Ten Pow for ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart.

As announced by ONE, Bumina-ang will test his mettle anew against Ten Pow in the bantamweight division just a few months after signing his 100,000-dollar contract deal.

The Team Lakay fighter is eager to prove his worth against his American competitor.

READ: Filipino Bumina-ang earns ONE contract, stays unbeaten

“I want to show that I belong in this league,” said Bumina-ang in Filipino. “Expect this fight to be as explosive as the last. Only two things will happen here; I knock him out or I make him submit.”

Bumina-ang made noise last May in ONE Friday Fights 65, where he sealed the ONE contract with a second-round submission win over Chayan Oorzhak.

READ: SEA Games: Philippines’ Carlo Bumina-ang plucks silver in vovinam

Before that dominant win, the bantamweight combatant won five straight which helped earn him his full-time contract.

But in his official debut, he will have to deal with a resurgent Ten Pow, who won over Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon in ONE Fight night 14: Stamp vs. Ham via TKO in the third round.

Tan Pow and Bumina-ang will clash in an undercard bout to back up the main event bout between Jarred brooks and Gustavo Balart at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on August 3.



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China’s 7-foot-3 player Zhang Ziyu dominating Fiba U18 Asia Cup


The photo taken on June 25, 2024 shows 2.20m (seven feet, three inches) Chinese basketball player Zhang Ziyu and her teammates listening to their coach’s instructions during their 2024 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup match between China and New Zealand in Shenzhen. (Photo by AFP)

A 17-year-old Chinese basketball player has been tipped for the top and drawn comparisons to Yao Ming after using her startling height advantage to dominate an international tournament.

Zhang Ziyu stands 7-foot-3 (2.20 meters), according to Fiba, the basketball’s governing body.

But Chinese media reported earlier this year that she was even taller at 7-foot-6 (2.28m)

READ: Yao Ming vows to support China basketball players after online abuse

Either way, she has used her height to help the hosts to two comfortable wins at this week’s U18 Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen and drawn attention beyond China after footage of her emerged online.

Against Indonesia on Monday, Zhang netted 19 points in 13 minutes after coming off the bench in a big 109-50 victory.

Video footage showed her towering over her opponents, with some of the Indonesian players barely coming up to the chest of Zhang, who hardly has to jump to reach the basket.

READ: Yao Ming slams China ‘slackers’ after Asian Games basketball flop

China then beat New Zealand 90-68 on Tuesday, with the teenager posting a team-high 36 points. She also led in rebounds with 13.

Social media users compared her to former NBA star Yao, who was 2.29m tall and China’s greatest basketball player of all time.

The WNBA requires foreign players to be aged at least 20, but many observers are already speculating about Zhang’s potential future career in the United States.

“Generational dominance,” one user on X commented.

“She’s got a good touch around the rim,” another wrote.



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“Most tall people just chuck the ball at it, hoping it goes in, but she has good form and knows what she’s doing.”

Gorayab relishes ‘good options’ for Capital1’s No. 2 pick


Capital1 Solar Spikers Roger Gorayeb during the PVL Rookie Draft combine. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Capital1 coach Roger Gorayab is happy to have a number of “good options” with the Solar Spikers holding the No. 2 pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft set for July 8.

Gorayeb knows exactly what he is looking for in a player who could potentially change the fate of the Solar Spikers, who joined the PVL just earlier in the year.

“Of course, I’m happy because I have good options. I’m thankful we got lucky with the second pick.” said Gorayeb, who attended the final day of the combine on Wednesday at GameVille Ball Park. “

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“I’m looking at the height, the one who could fit into my system, the one I think can adjust easily, that’s what’s good.

With Thea Gagate emerging as the presumptive No.1 pick of ZUS Coffee, Gorayeb has two players in mind for the second pick but he didn’t disclose them to avoid preempting the draft he has high hopes for the aspirant, who will be part of his team.

“We have [target player], but we need to discuss first. I will study which one will benefit us more. It’s a secret for now.,” he said.  “I see a big help this player can give us, and I will train her well. I already have someone in mind.”

Gorayeb is also eyeing to add more players to their young roster in the succeeding rounds, looking to add a middle blocker and a libero. 

READ: PVL: Set for No. 2 pick, Capital1 also parades Russian spiker

“We’re focusing now on the second round. What should we pick, a middle or a libero? We’re a bit short in that area. The middle position is very important,” the veteran coach said.

“We need an immediate threat in the middle so our outside hitters can have space. Without a threat in the middle and just focusing on outside sets, our attackers will be blocked often.”

Even before the PVL Draft, Gorayeb signed Shola Alvarez and Julia Ipac from Galeries as well as veteran setter Iris Tolenada as they look to rise from a 1-10 record in the All-Filipino Conference.

“Shola is a big factor, especially since I’m used to her from when she was my player before. She’s comfortable with me, and Jorelle, her former teammates, are still there. Shola is a huge asset offensively. Even defensively, she’s solid. Our team’s composition is really coming together nicely,” the Capital1 coach said.

“I really expect us to elevate our game by two to three levels.”

Gorayeb is also pleased with Russian import Marina Tushova’s connection to her teammates, especially to setter Tolenada.

“Marina easily jelled with us because she’s almost the same age as the younger players. Our bond with her became really good. She also blends well with the players like a local. She’s not picky,” he said.



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“She fits in perfectly because Iris [Tolenada] is a huge asset. Her leadership and experience bring a lot to the team.”

MJ Perez returns to power Cignal in Reinforced Conference


FILE–MJ Perez. Photo By Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — MJ Perez is returning to Manila five years after her last stint in the country and will take her act to Cignal in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference starting on July 16.

The HD Spikers on Wednesday welcomed the former Venezuela national team player, who is no longer a stranger to the Philippine volleyball scene.

The 36-year-old Perez is a former Philippine Superliga Grand Prix MVP in 2017, leading the defunct F2 Logistics to a championship. She also served as import for the Cargo Movers in 2018 and 2019 before the club moved to PVL in 2021 and debuted in the following year but the squad was disbanded last December.

Perez last saw action in Egypt with the Alexandria Sporting Club in the previous season. She played in Vietnam with the Than Quang Ninh Volleyball Club two years ago and also excelled in Indonesia and emerged as a decorated player in Venezuela.

Cignal is seeking to return to the PVL Reinforced Conference finals after their breakthrough two years ago with import Tai Bierria but fell to Petro Gazz in the series.

READ: Vanie Gandler, Dawn Catindig bring Cignal connection to PH team

Perez’s arrival is a timely boost for the HD Spikers, who could miss Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler due to their commitments to Alas Pilipinas.

Cignal missed the semifinals of the previous All-Filipino Conference as Perez teams up with former PSL rivals Ces Molina and coach Shaq Delos Santos, who is also banking on Gel Cayuna, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Ria Meneses, and Rose Doria.

Perez was the sixth PVL import unveiled hours after Choco Mucho welcomed Greek Spiker Zoi Faki. Capital1 brought Russian outside spiker Marina Tushova, Creamline will be baking on American spiker Erica Staunton, Chery Tiggo brought back Khat Bell in the Philippines, and PLDT will be running it back with its previous Russian reinforcement Elena Samoilenko.



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Kai Sotto join Koshigaya Alphas


Kai Sotto finds his newest home at Koshigaya Alphas in the Japan B.League.

MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto has found his new home in the Japan B.League.

Weeks after his departure from the Yokohama B-Corsairs, the Koshigaya Alphas announced that they have acquired the services of the 7-foot-3 Filipino big as they are promoted to Division 1.

“The Koshigaya Alphas have reached an agreement with Kai Sotto (formerly of the Hiroshima Dragonflies) for the 2024-25 season… At only 22 years old, but also noticed by the world, the Philippine representative big man will be the new guardian of the Alphas,” wrote the team in an Instagram post on Friday.

Sotto, meanwhile, shared that he’s just as excited as the Alphas to start a new chapter in his B.League journey.

READ: Kai Sotto continues to shine in B.League return after Gilas stint

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the Koshigaya Alphas. The Alphas have been promoted from B2 and will want to prove that they can compete in B1,” said the Gilas big.

“I also chose Alphas to grow more and become a better player. [I’m] excited to see the city of Koshigaya. I’m especially looking forward to seeing the fans!”

In Sotto’s final stint with Yokohama, where he played after a loan clause with his former team Dragonflies, Sotto posted norms of 12.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in 34 outings.

READ: Kai Sotto bound to dominate Asia, believes Gilas coach Tim Cone

He helped the B-Corsairs finish with a 24-36 record.

The Alphas, though, will have to wait a few more days to start training with Sotto as he is currently on national duty with Gilas Pilipinas.

As of writing, Sotto is in Istanbul, Turkey for a couple of friendlies before Gilas’ Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament.



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He finished with nine points and nine rebounds in his last outing with the national team in their win against the Taiwan Mustangs, 74-64, which the Alphas must have watched intently.

Galeries eyeing outside spiker at No. 3 in PVL Rookie Draft


Galeries Tower coaching staff at the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Galeries Tower looks to continue building its young lineup through the 2024 PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 as it targets a scorer for its third pick and also eyeing a setter and middle blocker in the succeeding rounds.

The Highrisers coaching staff, led by coach Lerma Giron and deputy Godfrey Okumu, were in full force on the final day of the draft combine at GameVille Ball Park on Wednesday.

They already have names on top of their minds but they didn’t divulge to protect their target players.

“We could get one of those positions. The setter, outside spiker, even an opposite, or a middle blocker. These players really add value because they’re just coming into the PVL. They’re new. The difference will be the one who settles first are the one who will add more value to their teams,” said Okumu, whose squad earned the third pick in the lottery.

“I think there’s a lot of talent. As I’ve said before I came to the Philippines, there’s a lot of talent in Philippine volleyball,” he added.

READ: Thea Gagate to be picked No. 1 by ZUS Coffee in PVL Rookie Draft

The Kenyan coach said their priority is an outside spiker, who can be a game-changer for their team, which only had a total of four wins in the past two All-Filipino Conferences. 

“In our team, we hope that the person we will get will come in settled and get to know the team better. That’s the most important thing, building the team together. With the people who are in and the people coming in,” Okumu said.

Okumu said that they will also bring a Brazilian outside spiker as an import but he didn’t disclose the name as the management will announce it in the coming days. 

READ: PVL: Alyssa Eroa grateful for chance to shine with Galeries

“We have a Brazilian girl, she’s coming in soon and we hope that she can fill the gap of one of the outside spiker positions. We cannot name it for now, we wanna make it official. Sometimes in the Philippines, we like fiesta. We wait for the right time like we have a big feast, we eat, and then we name names. I think it’s cool,” he said.

With a chance to bolster their roster through the PVL draft, Okumu is optimistic about the Highrisers’ future in the pros. 

“Last season, when we started, we had new players and we didn’t have time to train together with the new players so by the team the league was coming to an end, that’s when we were kinda getting to know each other, and beginning to work together. That’s why there’s a struggle in the beginning and by the end it is strong. That’s why we believe this time, we will start strong,” he said.



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NBA draft could be ‘special’ night for France


Zaccharie Risacher from France, who played for JL Bourg basketball club, speaks to the press during a press preview for the 78th edition of the NBA’s annual draft at the Lotte New York Palace in New York, on June 25, 2024. The draft will be held June 26 and June 27, 2024. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

NEW YORK — Alex Sarr was born in France and spent last season playing in Australia. Zaccharie Risacher was born in Spain and is coming off a breakout season in France.

The next step in their global basketball journey is the NBA, with one of them potentially heading to Atlanta on Wednesday night as the No. 1 pick in the draft.

“We grew up together, competing against each other, and now we are here in New York for the draft and it’s one day to realize our dream, you know?” Risacher said Tuesday. “So this is special.”

It’s a special time for France, which could have the No. 1 pick for a second straight season after Victor Wembanyama went to San Antonio last year amid enormous expectations and lived up to the hype in a Rookie of the Year season.

READ: French Zaccharie Risacher has best odds to be NBA draft top pick

Neither Sarr, Risacher (pronounced Ree-zah-shay) nor anyone else will arrive with that type of promise, part of the reason the 2024 draft has long been viewed as a weak one. It’s unclear which way the Hawks will lean, or even if they are focusing on the two French players.

“For us, I feel like this is a great class, to be honest,” said Isaiah Collier, a guard from USC, where he was a teammate of LeBron James’ son, Bronny James.

“Everybody says it’s weak and everything like that, but for us I think it’s wide open because there’s a lot of good players and nobody really knows who’s at the top.”

Alexandre Sarr NBA draft

Alexandre Sarr, French professional basketball player who last played for the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League, speaks to the press during a press preview for the 78th edition of the NBA’s annual draft at the Lotte New York Palace in New York, on June 25, 2024. The draft will be held June 26 and June 27, 2024. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

They will find out at the start of what this year becomes a two-night draft. The first round will be held as usual at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the second round moves Thursday to ESPN’s Seaport District studios.

Much of the speculation surrounding the Hawks’ choice since they won the draft lottery last month initially focused on Sarr, a well-traveled 7-footer from Bordeaux, France, who began his pro career in Spain with Real Madrid’s youth team. He spent two years in the U.S. playing with Overtime Elite, a developmental league, and last season was with the Perth Wildcats in Australia’s National Basketball League.

READ: NBA draft: France’s Alexandre Sarr, UConn’s Clingan headline big men

He should soon be able to settle in somewhere, whether it’s back in Atlanta — where Overtime Elite is based — or Washington, Houston, San Antonio or Detroit, the teams that round out the top five spots.

“It’s been a long journey of me changing a lot of countries and now I know that I’m going to be probably in the same place for a couple of years, so it’s really exciting,” Sarr said.

His basketball existence is hard to imagine for one of the players he could be competing with for the No. 1 spot. Fellow center Donovan Clingan, who has worked out for the Hawks, has spent his entire life near his birthplace of Bristol, Connecticut, where he went to high school before helping UConn win back-to-back national championships.

“I can’t imagine traveling all over the world, just being away from your family and stuff,” Clingan said. “Just feels like his whole playing career really, ever since he was a young kid, just being on the move. So I’ve been lucky enough and blessed enough to have an opportunity to continue to stay playing in Connecticut, but I’m really excited to move away and start a new chapter.”

College teammate Stephon Castle is expected to join him in the top 10 picks, and Kentucky also could have a pair of players go early in freshmen guards Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham.

But that is nothing unusual for college basketball powerhouse programs. Kentucky had six players selected in both 2012 and 2015, the most in the two-round draft format that began in 1989, and the Huskies once went 2-3 in the draft with Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon in 2004.

But this is a whole new deal for France — or any country other than the U.S. If Sarr or Risacher is taken first, it would mark the first time that the draft went consecutive years without the No. 1 pick being someone who played at an American college.

They were teammates on France’s team that won a silver medal at the 2023 Under-19 World Cup, with Risacher scoring 13 points in a victory over the U.S. The 6-foot-9 forward also spent two seasons in France playing for ASVEL — owned by French Hall of Famer Tony Parker — and he was a one-time teammate of Wembanyama.

Now he could be France’s next No. 1 — unless an old friend beats him out.



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“It would mean a lot,” Sarr said. “I played with Zaccharie three years in a row, I’m really close with him, so I’m really happy for him and I think it’s really special for France in general.”

Celtics’ Brad Stevens expects only roster tweaks in repeat bid


Confetti falls from the sky after Boston Celtics 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Adam Glanzman/Getty Images/AFP

BOSTON — The past week has been a whirlwind for Brad Stevens since the Celtics reached the goal he’s been chasing since he arrived in Boston in 2013.

He’s gone from coach to president of basketball operations during that time, experiencing all the failures and near misses it took to finally earn the franchise’s 18th championship.

It’s also why he’s not allowing himself to get caught up in the expectations that already hover around the Celtics to do it again next season.

“The adulation doesn’t mean much in all sincerity. And the scrutiny doesn’t mean much either,” Stevens said Tuesday. “If you hang a banner everybody is going to talk about how great you are. And if you don’t, they’re going to talk about how much you stink. … If you tie your approach to that, then you’re just going to ride a roller coaster that’s not worth the journey. So, I think the most important thing is you appreciate the people you’re with, you try your best to have the best season you can. And you just keep going.”

READ: Celtics look to become first repeat NBA champion since 2018

The good news for Stevens is that the Celtics are positioned well to be very much in the mix to defend their title next season. Their top six players — Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford — are under contract for next season.

After having secured long-term extensions with Brown, Holiday and Porzingis, the Celtics are expected to do the same with Tatum and White this summer.

It’s why Stevens isn’t anticipating any major changes this offseason.

The Celtics hold the 30th and 54th overall picks in this week’s draft, but he said any player they select will be with an eye toward the future, not the present.

READ: NBA: Brown, Tatum answer critics while leading Celtics to title

“I think there’s a lot of moving parts to keeping this roster sustainable beyond this year. But specifically to this year, we’ve got a lot of guys back,” Stevens said. “It will be hard for any draft pick to crack our rotation when healthy. So we’ll think about how we can continue to invest in young players and their development and growth, with the reality that if we’re able to continue to move forward with this group — these guys are going to be on the court.”

Keeping the current core of this group intact will put the Celtics into the second apron of the luxury tax for a second straight year, but the biggest ramifications of that won’t need to be addressed until after next season.

While Stevens expects winning the title to put a target squarely on their backs next season, he bristles at the notion that the Celtics will be clear-cut favorites.

“I don’t know what the league’s going to look like in three weeks, so who knows?” Stevens said. “But I know this. Human nature is going to be another huge opponent. All of our opponents — when you win — the other 29 teams target you. It’s a different thing to come back from to then be great again.”

What this group has earned though, he said, is the opportunity to come back together to take on that challenge.

“We’ll always evaluate how to make our team better,” Stevens said. “But I think we would be crazy not to say that character and the foundation of this team is right. And let’s see if we can be as consistent as we can. Grow. Develop. Get better. Improve. … I’m not anticipating major changes, at least early on. Because I think this team deserves that.”

PORZINGIS UPDATE

Stevens said Porzingis is still being evaluated for the next steps on how to proceed to repair the dislocated tendon in his left ankle that he injured in the NBA Finals.



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“Kristaps is still in the middle of consulting with some different doctors and specialists. We anticipate surgery will be soon. We’ll have more of a timeline and recovery after the surgery,” Stevens said.

New coach Charles Lee out to turn around struggling Hornets


New Charlotte Hornets NBA basketball team head coach Charles Lee, left, is introduced by Charlotte Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson during a news conference Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Steve Reed)

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Charles Lee joked that his wife thought he was a little crazy when he decided to step away from his job as a single stock equity trader on Wall Street to become a full-time basketball coach.

Turns out it was a pretty good career move.

Since walking away from Bank of America in 2012 to coach at Bucknell, Lee has gone on to win two NBA championships as an assistant coach, including last week with the Boston Celtics following 2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Now, at age 39, he gets his first crack at being a head coach at any level with the Charlotte Hornets, a perennially disappointing franchise that hasn’t been to the postseason in eight years — the longest active drought in the NBA — and hasn’t won a playoff series in nearly a quarter century.

But like leaving Wall Street, Lee isn’t scared of a new challenge.

READ: NBA: Steve Clifford ends tenure as Hornets’ winningest coach

He feels with the support of his wife Lindsey and a strong family structure behind him, he can conquer just about anything.

He called the Hornets a “talent-rich group” with plenty of unrealized potential, even though they won just 21 games last season.

“We have a very, very good team here,” Lee said. “We’ve been snakebit with some injuries. … But this group is focused on the right things. The expectations are that we are going to compete every night, whether it’s a home game, road game or whoever is playing. This is going to be a group that is together offensively and defensively, no matter who is on the floor.”

Lee’s introductory news conference on Tuesday came nearly seven weeks after being hired to replace Steve Clifford, who announced late last season he was stepping away from coaching.

Lee has been busy pulling double duty since, helping Jayson Tatum and the Celtics reach the ultimate goal while also spending time developing relationships with his new players in Charlotte, as well as evaluating personnel ahead of this week’s NBA draft and the upcoming free agency signing period.

READ: NBA: Hornets shut down LaMelo Ball for rest of season

Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson said he was “blown away” by Lee during his interview and after talking with members of the Bucks and Celtics organization about him.

“He’s an excellent communicator,” Peterson said. “He’s competitive. He’s constantly trying to figure out ways to get better. I know that at night he goes to sleep thinking, ‘how can I make the Charlotte Hornets better?’ And, he’s a winner.”

Hornets forward Grant Williams was one of about a dozen players to attend the news conference, joining LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.

Williams believes Lee’s winning pedigree has already got the attention of his teammates.

“It definitely carries some weight, some respect, because he knows what it takes to win it all,” Williams said. “He was the associate head coach on both championship teams, so he had a direct impact in the development and style of play. He’s been around a lot of greats and he will do wonders for guys like LaMelo and Brandon, who are trying to be special.”

Lee’s addition completes some dramatic changes in the Hornets organization over the past 12 months.

Since Michael Jordan sold the team to Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin last August, the Hornets have hired a new general manager, a new head coach and traded several of their veteran players, including Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward and P.J. Washington.

They drafted Miller, who has shown star potential.

There are also major renovations underway at the Spectrum Center, which forced the news conference to be moved to a rented building in Charlotte less than a mile from where they play home games.

Lee offered no guarantees on when the Hornets might return to the playoffs, but he likes the attitudes of the players he has met and senses they’re willing to “buy in” and do anything to get things turned around.

“What I can say to the fans is that when I went through the interview process, Gabe, Rick and Jeff made it clear they want this to be one of the NBA’s premier franchises,” Lee said. “… The things that we can promise from this team is that they’re going to be very competitive, they are going to be focused on what we can control with our daily progress, process and effort.”

Williams, for one, said he believes the Hornets are about to turn things around.



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“The energy is shifting here. You can just feel the vibe,” Williams said. “And I think people are going to be really shocked here by how soon it is going to happen.”