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Former Hornet James Bouknight to play in Summer League with Portland Trail Blazers

The former first-round pick is looking to get another shot in the NBA.
Tyler Carmona|
Jan 10, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard James Bouknight (2) looks to pass as he is defended by Sacramento Kings guard forward Colby Jones (20) during the first half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Jan 10, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard James Bouknight (2) looks to pass as he is defended by Sacramento Kings guard forward Colby Jones (20) during the first half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

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Charlotte Hornets

Just a few days before the NBA’s 2025 Summer League gets underway, one former Charlotte Hornet will be playing for a franchise that he has already spent some time with.

One July 4, the Portland Trail Blazers dropped their 2025 Summer League roster, and one familiar face was former Hornet James Bouknight.

Although his most recent in-game NBA action was with the Hornets, he was signed by the Trail Blazers last October before being waived and eventually signing with their G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix.

While appearing in 23 games with the Remix last season, Bouknight averaged 12.7 points, 5.3 assists and six rebounds per game.

During his final season in Charlotte, he averaged 3.6 points, 0.4 assists and 0.6 rebounds while shooting 43.9% from field-goal range before being waived on February 8.

Throughout his two-and-a-half season career with the Hornets, Bouknight averaged 4.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game while appearing in 79 games. 

Although his time with the Hornets was rather uneventful, former Hornets head coach Steve Clifford was once a strong supporter of his.

“He's got real talent. Like I'm talking real talent, like starter's talent. The other thing about him that I'll say that's different is he delivered in college,” Clifford said. “He was drafted on two things - potential, but also performance.”

Before being drafted by Charlotte with the 11th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, Bouknight was a two-time All-Conference selection at UConn while averaging points and 5.7 rebounds per game during his final season.

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Tyler Carmona
TYLER CARMONA

Tyler joined the Charlotte Hornets On SI team in December of 2024. He previously worked as a local TV news reporter at WSAV in Savannah, Georgia, and for ESPN Radio. After earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida, he attended grad school at Savannah State. Tyler's primary focus in Hornets coverage is centered around the draft and free agency.