Just a day after hosting reporters for the NBA’s annual Media Day coverage, the Charlotte Hornets have signed 2024-25 G League All-Defensive selection Ibou Badji to complete their training camp roster, per The Charlotte Observer’s Rod Boone.
Hornets Sign 2024-25 G League All-Defensive Selection Ibou Badji
A 7-foot-1 and 240-pound center hailing from Senegal, Badji went undrafted in 2022. Though his first NBA contract was an Exhibit 10 deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, his first time being on an NBA roster came after he signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023. That didn’t lead to much time on an NBA court, with Badji logging 226 minutes with the Blazers in 2023-24. However, he was able to showcase both his offensive versatility and defensive upside in that short span.
With that being said, though he also has international experience, Badji has done the bulk of his damage in the G League.
Looking At The Numbers
In 2022-23, he was briefly latched on with the Bucks’ affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. Playing in the Tip-Off Tournament, he posted 7.4 points, 6.6 assists and 2.4 blocks in 20.7 minutes per contest. Badji wouldn’t be seen again until the next Tip-Off Tournament, in which he would tally 3.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 15.3 minutes per game.
However, after signing his two-way contract with the Blazers, he joined their G League affiliate (Rip City Remix) instead. He averaged 4.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in 20.7 minutes per game for the rest of the tournament. Then, in the regular season, he averaged 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 15.3 minutes per game.
In 2024-25, Badji was back with Wisconsin for the regular season and Tip-Off Tournament. In the regular season, he averaged 6.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game, leading the league in total blocks (115). He followed that up with 4.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game in the tourney, leading the G in total blocks for the second straight year.
After three seasons in the G League, he’s now ranked fourth all-time in career blocks and career block average (4.1/g). Notably, his career block average is higher than that of two G League alums that went on to have respectable NBA careers: Houston Rockets center Clint Capela and Boston Celtics forward-center Chris Boucher.
The Last Word On Ibou Badji
Badji is a lithe and springy center with tremendous length and defensive instincts. What separates him from the Hornets other centers is his combination of size, mobility and shot-blocking prowess. If he had Mason Plumlee‘s veteran savvy, he very well could be vying for minutes in the regular season.
Instead, Badji likely has to prove that he’s more valuable to the team than Moussa Diabate. Like Badji, Diabate is an athletic big man who finishes around the rim well and crashes the glass. However, he isn’t nearly as sharp when protecting the rim.
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