The Hornets have waived center Ibou Badji, the team’s PR department tweets.
Badji appeared in one preseason game this month.
Badji, 23, saw action in 22 NBA games during the 2023/24 season while on a two-way contract with Portland. He averaged 1.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 10.3 minutes per contest during his time with the Trail Blazers.
Outside of that stint in Portland, Badji has spent the rest of his professional career playing in the G League or in Spain, including most recently with La Laguna Tenerife, which competes in Spain’s top basketball league (Liga ACB). He headed overseas in the spring after appearing in 50 games for the Wisconsin Herd during the 2024/25 G League season.
The seven-footer from Senegal put up 6.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and an impressive 3.5 BPG in 22.4 MPG for the Herd, earning himself as spot on the NBAGL’s All-Defensive team.
The Greensboro Swarm acquired Badji’s returning rights from Wisconsin in August, which suggests that the plan all along was for Badji to join Charlotte’s G League affiliate. Assuming he clears waivers, he could earn a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he spends at least 60 days with the Swarm.