The Athletic did their own version of Forbes’ 40 under 40 list, and three members of the Charlotte Hornets made the list. They are general manager Jeff Peterson (35), head coach Charles Lee (39), and assistant general manager Dotun Akinwale (34).
All are new additions to the Hornets and have been tasked with turning around a franchise that is trying to build itself into a not-bottom tier NBA organization. The new young blood is decidedly different than the guard they are replacing at their respective positions.
Peterson and Lee were tabbed as up and comers in their job duties, and the Hornets did a really good job actually landing such sought after candidates. Akinwale is a less heralded name but seems to be held in high regard according to The Athletic’s piece. He is in the 40 under 40, after all.
It’s not the most prestigious or exclusive club to make. The NBA is trending younger, but it’s not like it’s full of 30-somethings with high ranking titles, so there’s not a terribly large pool to pull 40 people from. Still, it’s rare that the Hornets get any positive recognition of any kind, so getting three people named to a list of good people is a sight for sore eyes.
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