Leaky Black, a former basketball wing for UNC, was the Hornets’ unsung hero in their thrilling victory.
Leaky Black played basketball for five years at UNC before going undrafted in the NBA draft last summer. However, he was able to sign a two-way contract with the struggling Charlotte Hornets (10-31) for his rookie season.
Off the bench, he doesn’t get much of a look. However, the 24-year-old Concord, North Carolina, defensive stopper made every last second matter in Monday night’s unexpected 128-125 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves (30-13), who are now leading the Western Conference.
In order to preserve a 126-125 lead, Charlotte needed to make a stop with 11.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Hornets head coach Steve Clifford substituted in the two-time All-ACC Defensive Team selection from the Tar Heels.
Despite playing just five minutes against the Timberwolves, Black—who has only once received double-digit minutes in his 12 outings this season—scored seven points, three rebounds, one assist, and one block.
Still, he was the highlight of the previous twelve seconds. Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with a career-high 62 points for Minnesota, attempted a driving layup, but Black blocked it. With 1.7 seconds remaining, Black grabbed the rebound, drew a foul, and converted both of his free throw tries.They were his career’s first made free throws:
The Hornets then departed with the W after Towns airballed an attempt at the logo.
Leaky Black, a popular UNC basketball product, has played in five of the Hornets’ past seven games, despite averaging just 1.7 points and 5.3 minutes in his limited NBA appearances.
You would think that Clifford would think twice before ringing his number now.
Be the first to comment