No. 14 pick Hannes Steinbach signs rookie contract with Hornets
Article excerpt
The Hornets signed Hannes Steinbach, the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, to his rookie-scale contract.
The Charlotte Hornets signed Hannes Steinbach, the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, to his rookie-scale contract, the team announced on Monday.
He will make $5,227,200 next season, according to Spotrac.
Steinbach was a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season at Washington, averaging 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 34% from 3-point range. He was the first Husky freshman to earn an all-conference nod since Isaiah Stewart (2021).
The 6-foot-11 forward led the country in rebounding and was tied for the most double-doubles with 22, one shy of the program record (Jon Brockman). He set the Big Ten double-double record for a freshman and had the most overall since Zach Edey in the 2023-24 season (30).
officially signed the dotted line ✍️ pic.twitter.com/58uoVxVxad
, Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 6, 2026
Steinbach was highly touted as a prospect this year because of his scoring, rebounding and vision with the ball in his hands. He also flourished with the Huskies in pick-and-roll situations as a finisher at the rim, which should be utilized often in Charlotte.
Prior to playing at Washington, Steinbach spent the 2024-25 season with Würzburg in the German League. He averaged 9.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, one steal and one block on 61.8% shooting from the field in 41 games with the senior team.
Steinbach will suit up with the Hornets in the NBA Summer League, beginning on Thursday against the Orlando Magic in Las Vegas, Nevada (7:30 p.m. EDT, Prime Video).
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: No. 14 pick Hannes Steinbach signs rookie contract with Hornets