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Did the Hornets get a steal in Bryce McGowens?

By Evan Birchmore

Feb 27, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Trey McGowens (2) dribbles the ball around the outside of Penn State Nittany Lions guard Dallion Johnson (23) during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Nebraska defeated Penn State 93-70. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Trey McGowens (2) dribbles the ball around the outside of Penn State Nittany Lions guard Dallion Johnson (23) during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Nebraska defeated Penn State 93-70. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Charlotte Hornets had an eventful evening on Thursday, as they made one of the more noteworthy trades of draft night when they sent Jalen Duren to the Detroit Pistons in a deal that netted them several future picks. Charlotte then used one of the picks acquired in that deal, plus their own second round pick, to move up to the 40th pick, where they selected Nebraska’s Bryce McGowens.

While the Duren deal has been the headliner of the Hornets’ draft, the deal to move up for McGowens could prove to be a steal in years to come.

A five-star recruit coming out of high school, McGowens became the first five-star recruit to ever commit to Nebraska. McGowens made an immediate impact, leading the Cornhuskers in scoring to the tune of 16.8 points per game. He exceeded the 20-point threshold on eleven occasions, eight of which came against major conference competition.

McGowens also proved to be effective in getting to the free throw line, finishing fourth in the Big 10 in free throw attempts per game and second amongst perimeter players. When he got to the free throw line, he converted at an 83% rate.

McGowens is not without his flaws as a prospect; namely, his three-point shooting, passing, and defense must improve for him to reach his full potential. McGowens finished seventh amongst Nebraska’s regular rotation players in three-point percentage at just 27.4% while taking the most attempts on the team. Some of that could be attributed to the lack of talent around McGowens and the need for him to score in bunches for Nebraska to win games.

McGowens passing has room for growth, as he had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.67. Hi 1.4 assists per game were the fourth-most for Nebraska, while his 2.1 turnovers were the second-most.

Defensively, McGowens has the tools to make the necessary growth at the next level. His 6’7″ frame and 6’9″ wingspan will help him bother passing lanes and disrupt shots against NBA guards. However, these tools did not translate to great defensive production at the college level, as McGowens was seventh in steals for Nebraska.

In being drafted to Charlotte, McGowens is making somewhat of a homecoming, as he attended high school in Greenville, South Carolina. The Hornets will certainly hope that McGowens will feel at home early on and develop into a second-round gem for a front office that has shown a propensity for drafting well in the later round. Devonte’ Graham, Cody Martin, and JT Thor stand out as second-round selections that worked out in Charlotte’s favor, and McGowens could prove to be the next player in that sequence.