Late in each Charlotte Hornets season, coach James Borrego opens up the rotation to see what a second-round rookie has got.
Three seasons ago, it was Devonte Graham. Last March, it was Jalen McDaniels. Friday, it was emphatically Vernon Carey, Jr.
“Based on what I saw tonight, I’ve got to look very hard at Vernon” the rest of the season, Borrego said, after Carey’s NBA debut as a starter.
Carey was stunningly good with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting, plus six rebounds.
The Hornets selected former Duke center Carey early in the second round, and prior to Friday he had amassed all of 33 minutes.